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Meditating on the Beach

Psychological Wellbeing

Being diagnosed with a neurosurgical condition and being monitored or treated for that be that with surgery or another modality can have a significant and negative effect on many peoples psychological wellbeing and very understandably so. As we all know psychological wellbeing is a major influence on our ability to get on with our lives, a fundamental part of our health and our general sense of wellbeing. Being diagnosed with a health condition of any kind often leaves people with feelings of loss/lack of control and helplessness.  

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Acknowledging this is often the first most helpful step as this will then allow you to process through what is happening and look to ways to help, including for some reaching out for external help. Whilst you may not have control over having a neurosurgical condition there are many ways you can support your psychological wellbeing to better cope. It can be helpful to consider:

1) Can I change how I think or feel about having a neurosurgical condition? 

2) Are there aspects that I can control? For example you can focus on diet, exercise and your psychological health as discussed on these pages and this will pay dividends for your health alongside your neurosurgical condition, whether you are having active treatment or not.  

Resources for psychological wellbeing

If you are struggling please speak to your Doctor. Below is a list of resources that you may find interesting & helpful to explore.

Books

  • The Reality Slap: how to find fulfilment when life hurts by Russ Harris

  • Living with the Enemy; coping with the stress of chronic illness using CBT, mindfulness and acceptance by Ray Owen

  • Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world by Mark Williams

  • The Sleep Book: How to sleep well every night. By Guy Meadows

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Websites

  • www.cci.health.wa.gov.au – the Centre for Clinical Interventions. Click on their Resources/looking after yourself page to access self-help workbooks, free to use on a wide range of psychological difficulties including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, tolerating distress, worry, 

  • www.getselfhelp.co.uk – lots of very helpful handouts/self-help worksheets. One that can be useful if you are facing sudden illness/uncertainty is one called BeyondControl. 

  • www.thehappinesstrap.com  

  • http://thesleepschool.org​​

 

Apps

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  • Healthy Minds –  Every local area will have an IAPT service that you can can self-refer to or your GP can refer to. 01865 901600. 

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  • Nerve Tumours UK – national charity supporting patients with nerve tumours. Helpline and links to facebook groups. www.nervetumours.org.uk

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  • Headway – the brain injury association (brain injury including tumours) – provides support and information services. www.headway.org.uk

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Meditation & mindfulness

These are practices which many people find extremely helpful in life, not just when dealing with a healthcare condition. They help people to learn greater awareness. They are not about learning to turn off emotions but rather to observe them without judgement, which in turn and over time can then help people better understand them. 

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If you are interested in learning more below are resources that may be of interest. 

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Mindfulness websites

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Meditation websites

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Apps

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Relaxing by the Water
Meditating at Home
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©2021 by the holistic neurosurgeon.

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