Expanding my SMA care team with mental health support
WHY IT MATTERS
People with SMA often face depression and anxiety alongside their physical symptoms, and this article highlights that mental health care should be a standard part of managing the disease, not an afterthought.
A person with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is sharing their experience of adding mental health support to their medical care team. The article uses the TV show 'Shrinking' as an example of how even people who help others sometimes struggle to take care of their own emotional needs. For people managing a serious condition like SMA, getting support from a therapist or counselor can be just as important as seeing a doctor.
The Apple TV series “Shrinking” features an ensemble of messy characters. Lead protagonist Jimmy (played by Jason Segel) is a widower who struggles to care for his teenage daughter, Alice (Lukita Maxwell). As a therapist, he likes helping others, but he has a hard time taking his own advice. Jimmy’s colleague Gaby (Jessica Williams) has […] The post Expanding my SMA care team with mental health support appeared first on SMA News Today .
ASK YOUR DOCTOR
If you have SMA, consider asking your neurologist or care team for a referral to a mental health professional who has experience working with people managing chronic conditions.