Living with a physical health condition comes with a unique set of challenges – not just the symptoms themselves, but also the unhelpful beliefs and myths surrounding what it means to live well with a health condition. These myths can keep people stuck, disconnected, or disheartened, making it harder for them to move forward in meaningful ways.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the key myths about living with physical health challenges and bust them using insights from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). These perspectives can help clients live a rich, fulfilling life – even in the presence of pain, fatigue, or other symptoms.
Myth 1: “I’ll only be able to live a good life once my symptoms are gone.”
This is one of the most common myths for people living with chronic pain, fatigue, or long-term health conditions. The belief that life can only begin when symptoms disappear leaves people stuck in a cycle of waiting, frustration, and avoidance.
The truth:
Physical health challenges don’t have to stop someone from living a meaningful life. ACT teaches us that while symptoms like pain or fatigue are real, they don’t have to define or control our actions. By focusing on values – the things that matter most – and taking small, intentional steps, people can still pursue what’s important to them.
ACT insight:
Values are like a compass. They guide us towards what matters, even when the road is difficult. With the right tools, people can take action aligned with their values, whether that’s spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or contributing to their community. Our values exercise can help you to help clients understand what’s really important to them.
Myth 2: “If I avoid activities that cause discomfort, I’ll feel better in the long run.”
It’s natural to want to avoid things that cause pain, fatigue, or other symptoms. But this avoidance often leads to a smaller and smaller life. People stop doing the things they care about, which can lead to feeling isolated, disconnected, and even more stuck.
The truth:
Avoiding discomfort may work in the short term, but it often comes at a long-term cost. ACT helps people recognise that avoidance doesn’t make the challenges go away – it just shrinks their world. Instead, we can build willingness to engage with discomfort when it shows up, especially if it’s in the service of something meaningful.
ACT insight:
Discomfort is part of being human. ACT helps clients learn how to make space for difficult emotions and sensations while continuing to take steps towards the life they want to live.
Myth 3: “I need to eliminate my negative thoughts about my health to feel better.”
When living with a long-term condition, people’s minds often generate difficult and distressing thoughts like “I’m broken,” “I’ll never get better,” or “What’s the point?” It’s easy to believe that these thoughts need to be silenced or changed before making progress.
The truth:
We can’t control our thoughts, but we can change our relationship with them. ACT introduces the concept of defusion – stepping back from thoughts and recognising them as just words or mental events, not absolute truths. People can still take meaningful action even when their minds are generating difficult or unhelpful thoughts.
ACT insight:
Think of your thoughts like passengers on a bus. Some are helpful, some are critical, but they don’t have to drive the bus. You can acknowledge them, thank them for their input, and keep steering towards what matters most.
Myth 4: “If I can’t do the things I used to do, then there’s no point in trying.”
For many people, physical health challenges mean they can no longer engage in activities they once loved – whether that’s playing sport, socialising in a specific way, or working long hours. This can lead to a sense of loss and hopelessness, with the belief that life is no longer worth pursuing.
The truth:
While it’s true that some activities may no longer be possible, the values behind them – such as connection, creativity, or accomplishment – can still be honoured in new ways. ACT emphasises psychological flexibility, helping people find alternative routes to pursue what matters, even if the original pathway is blocked.
ACT insight:
Values aren’t tied to specific actions – they’re about how we want to show up in the world. For example, if someone values connection but can no longer host big gatherings, they might honour that value through one-on-one conversations, writing letters, or volunteering online. There’s always another way to head west.
Myth 5: “If I’m not constantly fighting my illness, I’m giving up.”
This myth often shows up as an internal narrative about “staying strong” or “pushing through” – phrases that can feel motivating at first but often leave people exhausted, burnt out, or disconnected from their values. The idea that rest or acceptance equals “giving up” can keep people stuck in an unhelpful cycle.
The truth:
Acceptance isn’t about giving up – it’s about making space for what’s here so people can focus their energy on what matters most. ACT reframes the idea of “fighting” illness, inviting clients to shift their energy towards living a life aligned with their values, instead of constantly battling their symptoms.
ACT insight:
Imagine carrying a heavy clipboard of struggles and symptoms. The harder you push it away, the harder it pushes back. ACT helps people learn to “put the clipboard on their lap,” so they can free their hands to engage with life.
Final thoughts
These myths about physical health can keep people feeling stuck, disempowered, and disconnected from their values. By challenging these myths and introducing ACT principles, we can help clients build psychological flexibility – the ability to adapt, take meaningful action, and thrive, even in the face of challenges.
If you’re a practitioner looking to learn more about how ACT can transform your work with clients managing physical health conditions, consider exploring workshops that are part of our ACT for physical health pathway. You’ll gain practical tools and insights to help your clients live rich, fulfilling lives, no matter the obstacles.