Insights on Adapting Radical Acceptance and Self Compassion as a PWIH With Caitlin

Welcome to Living With… a TH-cam series presented by the Hypersomnia Foundation. In this episode, Claire Wylds-Wright, CEO of the Hypersomnia Foundation, sits down with Caitlin, who has idiopathic hypersomnia.
In this episode, Caitlin shares her journey from a military pediatric resident to a retired veteran living with idiopathic hypersomnia (IH). Caitlin shares her daily symptoms, including sleep inertia, low tone and excessive daytime sleepiness. Claire and Caitlin deep dive into Caitlin’s mental health journey, particularly her transformation through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helped her embody self-acceptance and compassion.
Caitlin offers insight on what life is like being retired and managing IH. Caitlin emphasized the importance of self-compassion, using the Spoon Theory to manage her energy, and navigating societal perceptions of chronic illness.
Caitlin (she/her) is a 33 year old woman living in coastal Virginia. Diagnosed with IH 2 years ago and on XYWAV for about 18 months, she is now thriving in her own way. Caitlin, once a promising military Pediatric Resident with a bright future in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, is excited to share how she came to embrace her “IH brain” and the life she now leads as a retired, unemployed veteran & cat mom.
Resources that have benefitted Caitlin:
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Podcast EP - The Happiness Trap with Dr. Russ Harris on Not Another Anxiety Show - podcasts.apple...
Book - The Illustrated Happiness Trap by Dr. Russ Harris a.co/d/hEHXFJM
Book - Needy: How to Advocate for your Needs & Claim Your Sovereignty by Mara Glatzel a.co/d/eX4eUSY
Podcast EP - Sounds True: Insights At The Edge, hosted by Tami Simon, Mara Glatzel: What Do You Need? www.resources....
Spoon Theory explainer - www.instagram....
Living With… is hosted by Claire Wylds-Wright with the Hypersomnia Foundation and produced by Elizabeth Joy Windom of Windhaven Productions.
A special thanks to our sponsors!
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Sponsor - Centessa Pharmaceuticals