LibraryScenariosWhen chronic illness changes your identity from helper to helped
Scenario

When chronic illness changes your identity from helper to helped

I used to be the person everyone came to for help and now I can barely make it through a grocery store trip without exhausting myself. I don't know who I am if I'm not useful to other people.

Dipa
Online
The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

The collapse of a helping-based identity forces a confrontation with self-worth beyond utility.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Chronic illness — living with a long condition?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.