How Does Chronic Illness Affect Your Mental Health?

Your physical and mental health are closely related. People suffering from chronic physical illnesses are twice more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression, and the rate is even higher for specific health conditions. Chronic illnesses like cancer, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes can adversely affect one’s body physically. Your ability to do normal activities is always questioned and you push yourself beyond the limits. You might always be concerned and stressed about the treatment procedures and their outcomes. It is also challenging to adapt to reality and get along freely with the diagnosis. And, all this can badly impact your mental state. 

Chronic illness and mental health disorders are both disabling conditions and can affect anyone irrespective of age, gender, race, or income. A temporary feeling of sadness is expected, which may aggravate depression if symptoms of illness last longer. And, mental conditions like depression can make it difficult to lead a normal life. You might want to keep yourself away from enjoying yourself at work, with family, friends, or at leisure. The worst part about depression is it not just affects your mood but reaches much beyond that. Common symptoms include:

• Persistent sadness or feeling empty
• Always feeling irritated, frustrated, or restless
• Feeling pessimistic or hopeless
• Loss of interest in pursuing hobbies
• Difficulty in concentrating or making the necessary decisions
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Decreased energy levels throughout the day
• Difficulty in falling asleep
• Persistent aches or pains
• Suicidal thoughts and attempt 

People with Chronic Conditions Have High Depression Risks

The cause of depression is the same in both healthy and chronically-ill individuals. The risk factors get escalated when there is a family or personal history of depression or suicide due to depression. However, there are also certain illnesses that may have a direct role in depression-like Parkinson’s disease or brain strokes that cause changes in the brain and can trigger symptoms of depression. Chronic illnesses that can cause depression among people are:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cancer
• Autoimmune diseases
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke
• Hypothyroidism
• HIV/AIDS
• Coronary heart diseases 

Usually, the signs of depression arise after the individuals are assessed with the illnesses. The symptoms might also get suppressed once the right treatment starts. However, certain medications used to treat these illnesses can also trigger depression. 

To improve overall health, a collaborative approach is needed where physical health care is combined with mental health assistance for better results. One must understand and undergo therapies to fight both conditions. In this way, you will gradually find the right path to treat depression and manage your well-being. 

Children and Adolescents with Chronic Illnesses

It becomes even tougher for kids and adolescents to manage chronic illness and mental health together. They find it difficult to cope with their surroundings and carry out their normal lives when they see their healthy peers nearby. As a result, their specific cognitive, physical, social, emotional, or developmental abilities are largely affected. These children are put through a lot of restrictions and this becomes the brewing ground of mental illnesses. They start feeling stressed and left out. In such a scenario, the role of parents and the health care providers is very important. They must constantly check to see the signs of depression, adjustment disorders, or anxiety in the younger population. 

Mental Illness Might Lead to Other Health Risks

We have by far established how easily adults can slip into depression due to serious health issues. But the reverse is also very much true; People of all ages who have depression also have a higher risk of developing certain physical illnesses. They are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, pain, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s disease. The risk of osteoporosis also increases.  

Studies are still going on to find out the reasons behind this. Though nothing has been found yet. Though, there is a common belief that depressed people have lesser access to good health care and they face more challenges while seeking medical attention, taking the prescribed medication, exercising, or eating well. 

However, studies are still being conducted if physiological changes in depression can increase the risk of physical illnesses. Since there is a major change in the physiology of the body, experts think that this might work as a mental trigger. Here are some of the impacts that the body might be enduring in this phase:

• High inflammation
• Abnormal changes in stress hormones
• Changes in metabolism in diabetic patients
• Anomaly in heart rate and blood circulation 

Mental Health Disorders are Curable

Mental illness can lead to more complications if you are already suffering from chronic illnesses. But it does not always have to be a part of the illness. If the mental state is treated effectively, the situation can get much better. 

If you think you or any close one of you has depression, it is necessary to reveal the details to the mental healthcare providers. They will help you explore the probable treatment options. The health care provider must know every detail about your ongoing health state. They should know the medications you are consuming and what current treatments you are undergoing. Once they know, they can prescribe the medications accordingly. 

Participate in Clinical Research

Clinical trials are the research studies conducted to understand the probable cure of the problems. These help in finding newer and better ways of detecting, preventing, or treating specific diseases and their conditions. It is the best way to help the individuals come out of their current condition. The trials are mostly conducted on patients and healthy volunteers. You can talk to your healthcare provider before enrolling in any. This would help you understand the benefits and risks associated with the trials and if it is at all right for you. 

Chronic illness and mental health are no joke and the entire medical fraternity is trying their best to treat people in need. As responsible people, it is our duty to be equally helpful to the individuals who are in need of urgent medical help. Together, mental illness can be combated. It just needs the right support and assistance to emerge victorious from this state.