In our last episode of the season, we hear from Victoria, an archivist who was forced to find answers on her own about her endometriosis. Like many others diagnosed with a chronic illness, she’s faced multiple hurdles while navigating the medical system. Even though she’s learned a lot along the way, she wants to know how to continue to advocate for herself to her doctor—and how she can advocate for others in similar positions as well. Zahra consults Lauren Selfridge, L.M.F.T., a psychotherapist with multiple sclerosis and the host of This Is Not What I Ordered, a podcast about “full-hearted” living with chronic illness. Lauren shares her experience with multiple sclerosis, and how to find empathetic medical professionals who take you seriously, and the power of a good second opinion.

You can learn more about Lauren’s work at her website (https://laurenselfridge.com) and you can follow her on Instagram @laurenselfridgeofficical (https://www.instagram.com/laurenselfridgeofficial/?hl=en).

You can listen to her podcast This Is Not What I Ordered wherever you get your podcasts.

Here are some SELF resources and articles about navigating life when you have a chronic illness:

Opening Up About Your Chronic Illness

(https://www.self.com/story/checking-in-podcast-multiple-sclerosis)

Writing A Chronic Illness Elevator Pitch Has Made My Doctor’s Appointments So Much Easier

(https://www.self.com/story/chronic-illness-elevator-pitch)

Let’s Talk About Dating and Relationships When You Have a Chronic Illness

(https://www.self.com/story/checking-in-podcast-sex-love-sleep-apnea)

For People with Chronic Illness, Social Isolation Is Nothing New

(https://www.self.com/story/chronic-illness-social-isolation-coronavirus)

I’m Furious That It Took Almost a Decade to Diagnose My Chronic Pain

(https://www.self.com/story/chronic-pain-ankylosing-spondylitis)

If It Isn’t Chronic Lyme, What Is It?

(https://www.self.com/story/chronic-lyme)

How to Support a Friend Who’s Just Been Diagnosed With a Chronic Illness

(https://www.self.com/story/support-friend-chronic-illness)

Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple

Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify

Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google

Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/chec… Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices