Category Archives: Coping With Cushing’s

Cushing’s and Coping with an Unknown Outcome: Ambiguous Loss

Author and therapist, Pauline Boss, states, “With ambiguous loss, there is no closure; the challenge is to learn how to live with the ambiguity”. Often we refer to this type of loss when referring to soldiers missing in action or the loss of a loved one to Alzheimer’s. Because there is no closure, no clear… Continue Reading

Enhancing Self-Image Through Cushing’s

Throughout this healing process, I am not sure who has been rougher on me-myself or others. I may be my own worst critic. I am tuned in to the subtle and not so subtle changes my body and mind and spirit have undergone. As we heal and deal, our self-image may be impacted by three… Continue Reading

Managing Stress through Cushing’s

Have you ever lost the “thing” and it nearly put you over the edge? It doesn’t matter what the thing was. It could be the car keys, (one always seems to be running late when the keys go missing, have you noticed?) the cat, a bill that needs paying, one’s glasses, one’s mind. It really… Continue Reading

Nourishing Relationships through Cushing’s: The Ice Pack

“Trauma is an inescapably stressful event that overwhelms people’s coping mechanisms…” — Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

I think it is fair to say that Cushing’s can be traumatic. For me the diagnosis itself was surprisingly calming but the years preceding it, while attempting to articulate the ever-mounting symptoms to numerous medical professionals and not feeling adequately heard, were traumatic. … Continue Reading

Questions about Cushing’s and the Brain

An article titled Hypercortisolism and Memory Impairment appeared in the Spring, 2014 issue of the CSRF newsletter and prompted some questions from our members. Question: The article mentions “memory exercises”. What exercises would be recommended and why would they be helpful? Answer: Our brain is like a muscle, it needs regular exercise to stay in… Continue Reading