DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS
WHAT IS A CHRONIC ILLNESS?
Examples include:
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Epilepsy
- Heart disease
- Asthma
- Autoimmune disorders
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CHRONIC ILLNESS:
Chronic diseases cause fluctuating symptoms, periods of remission, or flare-ups, but they rarely go away completely. Research on chronic illness and depression narrates that depression is frequently brought on by the physical restrictions and continuing nature of chronic illness, which can also cause feelings of social isolation, fear, and powerlessness. This reciprocal relationship often results in people succumbing to depression as people may have a sense of loss for the life they led before losing their independence or ability to perform everyday duties.
Furthermore, a person's sense of self-worth may be undermined by the persistent nature of chronic illness since they may feel that their condition defines them more so than their skills. To prevent depression, people with chronic diseases must attend to both their physical and mental health requirements because the psychological toll can be just as severe as the physical symptoms.
CAN DEPRESSION LEAD TO CHRONIC DISEASES?
Numerous physical health issues can be brought on by or made worse by chronic depression. Long-term stress and negative emotions, for instance, can exacerbate inflammation, impair immunity, and raise the risk of diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders. Because of the close relationship between the mind and body, physical health can be significantly impacted when mental health declines.Depression can also result in poor self-care practices, such as skipping out on exercise, eating poorly, or not taking medications as prescribed, which raises the risk of chronic illnesses. This can eventually lead to a vicious cycle in which depression gets worse due to physical health problems and vice versa.
Research findings show that the associations of depression with physical disease which requires hospitalization are widespread across multiple organ systems, most commonly affected were endocrine, musculoskeletal, and vascular diseases. This suggests that depression should be considered more widely as a target for all kinds of disease prevention and treatment.
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR DEPRESSION IN CHRONIC ILLNESS:
Chronic illness-related depression requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes mental and physical well-being.
Here are several strategies:
- Consulting a mental health professional is essential for the treatment of depression and any other mental health conditions. Counseling can offer helpful coping skills, and therapy provides a safe space to explore your emotions and concerns.
- Spend time with understanding and compassionate people, whether family, friends or a loving partner. Opening up about your mental health struggles with loved ones can reduce loneliness and provide emotional relief. Seek out people who support and encourage you through difficult times.
- Break down more difficult tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and set attainable goals. This tactic helps you maintain your motivation and feel more successful without making you feel overworked.
- By prioritizing your own well-being, getting enough sleep, and engaging in physical and mental activities, you are taking control of your health and showing yourself the compassion you deserve.
- Mindfulness exercises like meditation or deep breathing can reduce tension and relax you. Present-moment awareness promotes mental health and anxiety control, especially during difficult times.
A WORD FROM MENTAL NURTURING:
Depression and chronic illness are firmly related, with one condition having the potential to cause or exacerbate the other. Living with a chronic disease, like diabetes or arthritis, has a substantial emotional toll in addition to physical challenges, making it essential to understand the psychology of chronic illness. On the other hand, depression can worsen physical health issues, making it more challenging to treat sickness and creating a vicious cycle that is hard to escape, potentially leading to burnout. However, by addressing both mental and physical health issues with the trained mental health provider, individuals can get prompt diagnosis and improve their overall quality of life.
Research performed on chronically ill patients shows moderate evidence that Cognitive behavioural therapy, exercise or relaxation techniques probably reduce depressive symptoms and increases health-related quality of life. Evidence for spiritual practices and alternative medicine techniques like acupressure, and meditation is of low certainty. Setting achievable and realistic goals for treatment is a powerful strategy in managing chronic illness-related depression. Professional Understanding the role that mental health plays in managing chronic illness is key to achieving improved health outcomes and a more satisfying life.
RESOURCES:
1- Understanding the link between chronic disease and depression. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/chronic-illness-mental-health
2- Esperat, M. C., Hust, C., Song, H., Garcia, M., & McMurry, L. J. (2023). Interprofessional collaborative practice: Management of chronic disease and mental health issues in primary care. Public Health Reports, 138(1_suppl), 29S-35S.
https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549231155469
3- Anderson, R., & Bury, M. (Eds.). (2024). Living with chronic illness: The experience of patients and their families. Taylor & Francis.
4- Ballou S, Katon J, Singh P, Rangan V, Lee HN, McMahon C, Iturrino J, Lembo A, Nee J. Chronic Diarrhea and Constipation Are More Common in Depressed Individuals. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Dec;17(13):2696-2703. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2019.03.046. Epub 2019 Apr 4. PMID: 30954714; PMCID: PMC6776710.
Written by:
Rumsha Abdul Aziz, MS Psychology,
On Feburary 06, 2025
