Romance and Relationships in Chronic Illness with Dr. Katie Gorman-Ezell

In this episode, Dr. Katie Gorman-Ezell discusses the complexities of romantic relationships when one partner has a chronic illness like POTS. Key to navigating these challenges is communication, understanding each partner's love language (e.g., acts of service, quality time, physical touch), and finding creative ways to express love despite the limitations imposed by illness. Dr. Gorman-Ezell emphasizes setting up fair fighting rules to manage disagreements constructively. Additionally, she highlights the importance of nurturing the relationship through shared activities and having a sense of humor. For couples where chronic illness affects a child, disagreements about parenting strategies can add stress. Overall, communication, setting mutual expectations, and maintaining empathy are crucial for sustaining relationships in the context of chronic illness.