My name is Brooke Gottesman. I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) working in mental health since 2004. I am currently in part-time private practice in NY with a specialization in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). I work with patients managing chronic pain. I am writing this article to share my story of chronic pain …
On Friday the 13th of March 2020, when the world stopped for COVID-19, I finally got an answer from my neurologist about the burning pain in my feet and, sometimes, hands. I had a “nickel’s worth of neuropathy” he stated. I remember thinking, “Oh my goodness, if this is only a nickel’s worth what might a …
In our blogpost. How to Get Support Without Leaving Home published in July 2020, we provided a summary of virtual support groups and social media sites for patients with PN. Here, we update our list, with some new additions and modifications. We hope that anyone struggling to find the support of others who understand the challenges of living with …
Mental health can become a concern for patients with chronic conditions such as peripheral neuropathy. During recent months when the pandemic has disrupted many of our usual routines, mental health for patients and their families can become even more of an issue. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy asked two experts on the subject for their …
Shanna Patterson, MD, and Kripa Ahuja provide insight on mindfulness and its positive impact for patients with peripheral neuropathy. Does Mindfulness Help? Summer is a time for relaxation, reflection, and rejuvenation. In the spirit of slowing down, we wanted to take this opportunity to delve into the topic of mindfulness. Mindfulness has proliferated in the …
Slow Down for Summer: Mindfulness for Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy Read More »
In the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy’s March 2019 e-newsletter, Dr. Joseph Breitenstein, a professor of psychology and licensed psychologist at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and two of his students, Jimmy Conway and Anna Larson, invited people with peripheral neuropathies to participate in a survey on coping with peripheral neuropathy. The main part of the …
Certain amounts of anxiety are all part of life for people of all age groups, but stress can become overwhelming for seniors. The thought of living alone and the loss of a spouse or of friends are factors that could contribute to senior stress. In older adults who have physical or medical limitations, simple tasks …
Support groups bring together people facing similar issues, whether that’s illness, relationship problems or major life changes. Members often share experiences and advice. It can be helpful to just talk with others who are facing the same issue. While not everyone wants or needs support beyond that offered by family and friends, you may find …
Researchers studied two separate groups of lab mice to find that social interaction can lessen the pain from nerve damage. Mice who lived with a ‘social partner’ were able to withstand much higher levels of pain. These results imply that simply not being alone can be effective as an alternative treatment for PN. READ MORE …
