Is Getting a Diagnosis - A Blessing or a Curse?

You may have been in the situation where you have been feeling terrible for months or years, your symptoms plaguing you, not know what is wrong with you. Then finally, finally you get a diagnosis.

When you receive a diagnosis like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Fibromyalgia, it can feel like both a blessing (a relief) and a curse (a life sentence). Finally, an explanation for the exhaustion, the pain, the brain fog. But also a label that can keep you locked in a cycle of limitation (and misery).

When you have a diagnosis, you have a label. And unfortunately, when it comes to chronic illnesses that label isn't very helpful. Not only are you at risk of becoming defined by your illness but you also will quickly become aware that the medical world has no answers for you.

The medical world is focused on managing symptoms (keeping you stuck). They do not open you up to the world of optimism and opportunity that exists. It's hard to believe until you get there as we have been conditioned to believe that our doctors have all the answers and that they are always right. In this instance they are not - even though it goes against out natural intuition.

Naturally, many turn to organisations like the ME & Long Covid Association or the Fibromyalgia Association, hoping for guidance and solutions. But while these groups provide validation and community, they often reinforce the belief that recovery is unlikely, leaving people feeling even more stuck. Sometimes, people are desperate for a diagnosis, under the misguided belief that suddenly things will get better and that there will be answers. But many find themselves sorely disappointed when they realise it’s a dead end and they are left to navigate their journey alone.

Please believe that your body is adaptable and your brain can rewire. Healing is possible when you work with your nervous system to create safety, regulate stress responses, and reconnect with yourself. The first step is questioning the stories you've been told about your condition and opening up to the possibility of change.

What if your diagnosis was just the beginning of your healing journey, rather than the end of the road?