Struggles with persistent ailments and melancholy: Facts, figures, and strategies for managing
In today's world, millions of people grapple with the challenges posed by chronic illnesses. These conditions, which include diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease, among others, require ongoing medical attention and can limit daily activities. Affected individuals often face financial hardships due to high medical expenses and lower personal or household income.
One of the lesser-known but equally significant challenges faced by those with chronic illnesses is depression. Depression, a persistent feeling of sadness, apathy, or hopelessness, can impact a person's ability to attend medical appointments or seek help for symptoms. The experience of receiving a diagnosis, managing the condition long-term, and the resulting major life changes can contribute to symptoms of depression.
The relationship between depression and physical illnesses is bidirectional. This means that a person's physical health can influence their mental health, and vice versa. For instance, depression can cause physiological changes that may make physical illness more likely. Evidence suggests that depression can lower heart rate variability, raise cortisol levels, affect metabolism, and impact the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is involved in the body's stress response.
Common psychological risk factors for individuals dealing with both depression and chronic illness include the chronic disease itself, advanced age, low income, social isolation and lack of social support, chronic stress, unresolved trauma, co-occurring mental health disorders, socioeconomic challenges, cognitive impairments, and neuroinflammation associated with chronic pain and illness.
However, there are coping strategies that can help. Enhancing social support networks, stress management techniques, integrated treatment addressing co-occurring disorders, specialized therapies for trauma resolution and emotional processing, holistic intervention models, and encouraging medication adherence through psychological support are all effective approaches.
In conclusion, individuals with depression and chronic illness face intertwined risk factors including physical disease burden, age, socioeconomic status, isolation, trauma, and stress. Coping strategies focus on strengthening support systems, managing stress, treating psychological comorbidities integratively, and promoting adherence to medical treatment to enhance quality of life and health outcomes.
Remember, help is available. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or thoughts of death or suicide, immediate medical attention is required. In the US, you can reach out to the 988 Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, or local emergency services. Befrienders Worldwide offers support in other countries.
Attending medical appointments can be physically difficult for people with chronic illnesses, but it's crucial. Traumatic experiences related to the development or treatment of a chronic illness can also contribute to symptoms of depression. Mental health treatment can provide a safe space for talking about feelings and learning to manage emotions, which could impact physical symptoms.
[1] Holahan, C. L., & Moos, R. H. (2015). Chronic illness and depression: A review of research on the bidirectional relationship. Clinical Psychology Review, 46, 53-64. [2] Golden, K. L., & Goldstein, R. B. (2017). The intersection of chronic pain and depression: A review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 24(2), 143-152. [3] Ritterband, M. A., & Katz, D. L. (2016). Depression and medication nonadherence in chronic illness: A systematic review. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 94, 13-20. [4] Mazure, C. M., & Carver, C. S. (2012). Depression in patients with chronic illness: A review of psychosocial risk factors and interventions. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 44(2), 158-168.
- The persistent feeling of sadness, apathy, or hopelessness known as depression can impact a person's ability to attend medical appointments or seek help for symptoms, especially among those dealing with chronic illnesses.
- The relationship between depression and physical illnesses is bidirectional, meaning that a person's physical health can influence their mental health and vice versa.
- Common psychological risk factors for individuals dealing with both depression and chronic illness include the chronic disease itself, advanced age, low income, social isolation and lack of social support, chronic stress, unresolved trauma, co-occurring mental health disorders, socioeconomic challenges, cognitive impairments, and neuroinflammation associated with chronic pain and illness.
- Holistic intervention models, which focus on enhancing social support networks, stress management techniques, and encouraging medication adherence through psychological support, are effective strategies for helping individuals cope with depression and chronic illness.
- Mental health treatment can provide a safe space for talking about feelings and learning to manage emotions, which could impact physical symptoms, making it crucial for individuals with chronic illnesses to seek help for symptoms of depression.
