Topics · Nicosia
Chronic health problems
Living with a long-term condition is not only about your body. It affects your mood, your work, your relationships and how you see yourself. Psychological support can help make the load a little lighter.
When your health becomes a daily task
Diabetes, asthma, heart conditions, chronic pain, autoimmune conditions, cancer: all of these need attention every day. Medication, tests, appointments, changes to what you eat or how you move. On top of that there is often uncertainty about what lies ahead.
It is normal to feel tired, angry or sad. Many people go through a kind of grief for the life they had before their diagnosis. NICE guidance also says that depression is more common in people with a chronic physical health problem, and that it is worth recognising and treating.
Signs worth noticing
If any of the following lasts for weeks, talk about it with your doctor or a psychologist:
- Ongoing sadness, hopelessness or loss of interest
- Strong worry about your health or your test results
- Pulling away from friends and activities
- Finding it hard to stick to the treatment your doctor has given you
- Strain in your relationship with your partner or family
- In children: fear, anger or refusing treatment, and problems at school
What can help day to day
Every person and every condition is different. Still, many people find it helps to share how they feel with people they trust, to set small and realistic goals, to keep time for things they enjoy, and to ask their doctors questions when something is not clear. You do not have to manage everything on your own.
How we can help
A psychologist does not replace your doctor and does not change your medication. We work alongside your medical care. Together we can look for ways to manage stress and pain day to day, to talk more easily with your family and your doctors, and to find again the things that give your life meaning.
At Safe Space Psychology Center in Latsia we see adults, children, teenagers and families. Where it helps, we work with our external associates in multidisciplinary sessions. Online sessions can be especially useful when getting out is hard.
For parents and carers
When a child or a partner lives with a chronic condition, the whole family changes. Brothers and sisters may feel left out. Parents and carers often forget about themselves. Your own rest is not a luxury. A carer who has support can give better support. You are welcome to come on your own, for yourself.
Your first appointment
We will talk about your health, how you are living with it and what you would like to change. If you wish, you can bring information about the treatment you are following. Sessions are available privately or through GeSY where it applies, with a referral from your personal doctor.
If you have thoughts of harming yourself, or your physical symptoms suddenly get worse, call 112 or go to the A&E department of your nearest hospital.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral?
Only if you want to come through GeSY, in which case you need a referral from your personal doctor or a specialist. Privately, you can book directly.
Will you speak to my doctor?
Only with your consent. Sometimes working together helps, but you decide what is shared.
Can therapy help with chronic pain?
It does not replace medical care. Many people find, though, that it helps them live better with pain and feel less anxious about it.
Can I have sessions online if I cannot travel?
Yes. Sessions are also available online, from your home.
Other topics we work with
Sources and further reading
- NICE: Depression in adults with a chronic physical health problem (CG91)
- World Health Organization: Noncommunicable diseases fact sheet
- American Psychological Association: Chronic illness
This page is for information only and does not replace an assessment by a psychologist or doctor.