Coping with Isolation with Jodi Taub
Practical Advice for Coping with Social Isolation
While 2020 has been a year of social isolation for everyone, many of us with fibromyalgia were already too familiar with isolation. Pain and fatigue often keeps us from enjoying social events and interfere with our relationships.
In this episode, Tami interviews Jodi Taub, a psychotherapist with multiple chronic illnesses of her own, about how we can protect our mental health and cope with social isolation and the loss of our holidays — whether it was brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic or simply fibromyalgia.
In addition, Jodi provides practical advice on how to know if it’s just sadness vs. clinical depression and what steps to take to get the help you need. Jodi says, “We didn’t choose to have our diseases, but we can choose to make things easier.”
Key Points
- It’s so important to set up a routine for yourselves. Our brains like routine; our brains like familiarity.
- Set up ritual routines for recreational and social time.
- Set realistic goals and then be kind to yourself.
- Talk to your care providers about finding a modification to access of care.
- Not everybody’s depressed right now. Part of it is just feeling sad. It’s normal to feel sad because there is so much loss right now.
- Just because you’re getting help doesn’t mean there’s like something permanently wrong with you. It’s okay to get help because you’re going through a hard season.
About Jodi Taub, LCSW
Jodi Taub, LCSW is a psychotherapist with a private practice in NYC. She has over 20 years of direct care experience with children, adolescents, and adults. She practices individual, couples, family and group therapies. She specializes in treating issues related to mood and anxiety disorders as well as the emotional issues that arise from coping with chronic illness and disease.
Jodi is also an expert lecturer, public speaker, published writer, researcher, and active mental health contributor for patients and families living with chronic health care conditions.
Connect with Jodi through her website at JodiTaubTherapy.com.
Links & Resources
- Get free copies of Tami’s books here
- Schedule a consultation with Tami or one of her coaches through the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration is an invaluable and comprehensive resource. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It provides referrals to treatment facilities, support groups, and community based organizations for individuals with and without insurance. In addition, there is also a wealth of hotlines for both mental health and substance use, and reading material.
Other Episodes Mentioned
- Episode 46, Clearing Fibromyalgia Brain Fog
- Episode 50, Ask The Coach: Should I Take Medication for Fibromyalgia?
Listener Shoutout
“Great tips in [Episode 46]! After listening, I didn’t feel so bad about having brain fog.”
~ Stacy McCracken
Episode Highlights
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