Anyone who has scoliosis knows how difficult it is to live with it and how it can affect our self-esteem. I can speak from my own experience. I started wearing the brace when I was 11, and I was so embarrassed to show all those bars on my neck. Plus, it drew so much attention in the streets that I still have a fear of being the center of attention to this day. After all these years, I still suffer the consequences of being a teenager with low self-esteem who was trying to deal with the emotions of scoliosis.
I didn't undergo therapy during the brace period. After turning 30, I needed a lot of therapy to help that little girl who grew up but still feels embarrassed and has low self-esteem. Do any of you feel the same way? It's normal. Scoliosis can do that to you!
But how can we improve this psychological impact?
- Seeking help from a professional
A while ago - long after the release of the book "A Menina da Coluna Torta" - a psychologist reached out to me because he had a teenage patient with scoliosis and thought that a conversation with me would be very important for her treatment. We had a chat, and the result was indeed great. Today, she's doing very well (we even exchanged emails the other day). Still, if it weren't for his sensitivity in taking such good care of her mental health during this challenging phase, things could be quite different. Psychotherapy is essential to strengthen self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-love, emotions that are significantly affected by scoliosis.
Currently, many health insurance plans already cover therapy sessions, and you just need a medical referral to request authorization from your health plan. There's also the option of free or low-cost psychologists available at places like the Center for Psychosocial Care in the Unified Health System (SUS), non-governmental organizations, and psychology departments at public universities.
Don't hesitate to seek psychological treatment to help you overcome scoliosis. And it's not just me saying this. Nowadays, doctors themselves are recommending psychotherapy for scoliosis patients because the best approach involves a multidisciplinary treatment, with various professionals working together to improve the patient's well-being, including psychologists.
- Finding communities on social media
There are several Facebook groups for people with scoliosis or parents of those with scoliosis. In these groups, you can exchange a lot of information, get your questions answered, or simply vent. The support network in these groups is extensive because everyone there understands what each other is going through. It's a great way to take care of your psychological well-being. Besides Facebook, there are also Instagram and TikTok profiles dedicated to discussing the topic.
- Talking to friends
That was the way I found to deal better with the problem. It was with my friends that I cried and comforted myself. And with them, I also had fun to forget it all, especially during the time I wore the brace. Friends are the best at giving words of comfort and helping us boost our self-esteem.
- Accepting the condition
The more we struggle to accept that we have to go through a difficult situation, the longer it takes to find peace. It's the famous "acceptance hurts less" (laughing). I know it's quite complicated, and often we get angry, but building emotional intelligence at such times only helps us balance ourselves and think that we'll gain some valuable lessons from it all. And that's where our peace comes from.
- Studying the subject
When we educate ourselves about the subject that troubles us, we demystify many self-created ideas. Creating concepts in our own minds is something natural, after all, we are human beings, right? However, studying scoliosis and subsequently discussing it with family and the healthcare team can be very helpful in this painful process because it helps us deconstruct all that fear and insecurity we feel.
These are some of my tips on how to improve our mental health when dealing with scoliosis. But I want to hear from you!
Do you have any resources you use in your daily life to reduce suffering? Tell me!
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