More Than Lungs: You Don't Have to Do This Alone

By Colin Butler, MS, CSCS, ACSM-GEI, EIM and CF Warrior and Dr. Sam Monson, Clinical Psychologist and CF Patient

No one should have to carry this kind of weight by themselves. Mental health professionals, especially those familiar with chronic illness, can help you process emotions, build coping strategies, and feel more empowered in your life. If you’re living with cystic fibrosis, for example, a CF-aware therapist can offer tools that are uniquely tailored to the CF experience.

Support groups, both in-person and online, can be incredibly grounding, too. There’s something powerful about connecting with people who just get it. The benefit of a structured program like the CF Foundation’s CF Circles is that a trained facilitator guides the process to help it stay balanced and productive. Unstructured online groups like Reddit or Facebook can also remind you that you’re not alone. Just be mindful of your limits, sometimes too much online talk can be overwhelming. Consider setting a timer to engage for 15-20 minutes at a time and check in with yourself after: is this helping me feel better or is it ramping me up? Adjust accordingly and step back when you need to

All of this applies to caregivers, too. If you’re caring for someone with a chronic illness, you need support just as much. Burnout is real. Open communication and transparent boundaries can help everyone stay grounded and connected.

Some resources you may find helpful:

Seek support from your CF Care team or check out National Mental Health Support at https://care.nationalmentalhealthsupport.com. You can also call or text 988 in the U.S. to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.