In this episode of the Lupus Foundation of America's The Expert Series podcast, Dr. Nicoleta Skoufalos discusses lessons from her new book, Understanding Autoimmune Disease: A Therapist's Guide to Invisible Illness. This conversation focuses on the emotional and psychological impact of living with autoimmune diseases like lupus. Topics include loss of identity, trauma, finding the right mental health support, and strategies for integrating illness into one's sense of self.

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Episode takeaways:

• Autoimmune disease can disrupt identity and strain personal relationships
• Misdiagnosis and medical gaslighting often create lasting emotional trauma
• Accessing the right mental health support is essential for autoimmune patients
• Clear communication strategies help others better understand invisible illnesses
• Rebuilding identity and discovering new meaning is a key part of life after diagnosis