The Hidden Connection: Chronic Illness and Depression

Chronic illness refers to a long-term medical condition that persists over an extended period of time, usually more than three months. Examples of chronic illnesses include Systemic lupus erythematosus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis, Cancer, Heart disease, Diabetes, Epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, Kidney disease, Hypothyroidism, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Stroke,  Asthma, and others.

Living with a chronic illness is not easy. It’s common to feel sad and discouraged about your condition, worrying about treatment outcomes and the future. Temporary feelings of sadness are expected, but if you’ve been experiencing these emotions for more than a few weeks, you may be struggling with depression. Unfortunately, depression is a common complication of chronic illness, affecting up to one-third of people with serious medical conditions. Depression can affect your daily life, preventing you from enjoying time with family and friends and participating in work or leisure activities. Common symptoms of depression include:

• • Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities
  • Significant changes in appetite or weight
  • Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or sleeping too much)
  • Increased fatigue or energy loss
  • Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Physical symptoms such as headaches, cramps, or stomach problems
  • Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
  • Having trouble focusing or remembering things
  • Staying out of social situations

It’s common for adults who are dealing with a medical condition to also suffer from depression. Conversely, people of all ages who experience depression are more likely to develop certain medical conditions. People with depression have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and even chronic pain. It’s not entirely clear why this is the case. Still, it’s possible that inadequate medical care and poor self-care practices could be contributing factors. Taking care of your physical health can be challenging when you’re dealing with depression, but it’s essential to seek medical help, follow medication prescriptions, eat healthily, and get enough exercise.

• • Getting help and support from a trained psychiatrist and therapist can be very beneficial in dealing with chronic illness.
  • When overwhelmed, reach out to friends, family, or support groups for comfort. Talking to someone who understands can be helpful.
  • Educate yourself about your chronic illness to make informed choices and feel empowered.
  • A balanced diet and restful sleep can positively impact both your physical health and emotional state.
  • Take time for yourself each day, even just a few minutes of relaxation or engaging in a hobby.
  • Focus on what you can control and stay positive. Avoid anything that drains your energy or worsens negative emotions.
  • To ease depression, practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
  • Recognizing your resilience and progress is important, even if it’s just a small step forward.

Effective treatments for depression are available, even if a person has a chronic medical condition. If you or someone you know is experiencing depression, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know and explore treatment options. Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all your current treatments and medications, including prescribed medications and dietary supplements, to avoid any potential interference between different medicines. This will also help your healthcare provider stay informed about your overall health and treatment concerns.

One way to deal with depression is through Talk therapy, specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which can help with mild depression by identifying and replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. Along with therapy, a prescription medicine called antidepressants might be prescribed by a psychiatrist to help with depression.

People who suffer from severe depression may benefit from brain stimulation therapy. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroconvulsive treatment (ECT), and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) are examples of brain stimulation therapies. 

Lastly, people can take a variety of actions via self-care to assist in lessening the symptoms of depression. Regular exercise, a good diet, stable and quality sleep, and avoiding alcohol can all help lessen the symptoms of depression.