Living with a chronic condition can be challenging, especially if you’re a parent or someone in a caretaking role. Chronic conditions (depending on the severity), can impact you physically, of course, but something often overlooked is the emotional impact.
Many studies have found that living with chronic conditions increases the risk of stress, anxiety, and depression. And when you’re taking care of children, that impact can be incredibly challenging.
So, what chronic conditions are worse for your mental health and why? And how can you address the issues that you face to avoid burnout or pain? Here are some thoughts and tips:
Diabetes
Diabetes is a modern chronic condition that has become more prevalent in the last 50 years. Unfortunately, it can cause a toll on your mental health, leading to frustration and exhaustion (physically and mentally). People living with diabetes have to constantly manage their blood sugar through diet and injections. They are also at risk of complications if blood sugar runs too high or too low.
According to research, people with diabetes are several times more likely to develop depression. Only around 27% of people with the condition are completely unaffected. The good news, however, is that help is available! Managing your blood sugar, working with a healthcare professional(s), and even pursing therapy or counseling to combat some of the mental health struggles can all help to make diabetes feel more manageable. You can also work on reversing the disease and its impacts through lifestyle and diet shifts, too!
Hearing Loss
While not always labeled as a ‘chronic’ condition, hearing loss is something with life-long impacts (including mental health impacts). People who are hard of hearing may find it more difficult to socialize and are more likely to experience isolation and depression.
The good news is that identifying and diagnosing your hearing loss with a hearing test can help you to take measures to support your hearing, whether through different hearing aids (which amplify incoming sounds and cancel out ambient noise) or even learning sign language to provide an alternate communication method.
Chronic Pain Conditions
Chronic pain conditions can also impact mental health (for obvious reasons!). Conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia can lead to persistent pain that reduces the quality of life overall, making it more difficult to work and socialize. Many people with chronic pain conditions retreat into isolation and can sometimes become hopeless.
The best way to address these issues is to treat the underlying cause of the pain. Sometimes it’s necessary to explore novel treatments that drive change in the body from different angles. It’s also a good idea to pair pain management with a healthy lifestyle.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases also have profound effects on mental health. People with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis often have mood disorders and perhaps chronic pain as well. This is caused by the inflammation and flares that these conditions cause. They can also lead to fatigue, which causes additional anxiety.
Fortunately, there are so many solutions for managing your autoimmune disease. Function Health, for example, provides comprehensive testing (for as little as $1 per day!) to help you understand where your levels are and how you can support your body more efficiently. The platform also comes with doctor notes and recommendations for lifestyle, diet, and managing your symptoms (physical and mental).
Chronic Respiratory Conditions
Finally, chronic respiratory conditions can also take their toll on mental health. Having breathing difficulties can be incredibly scary, and many people constantly fear the next episode. This can lead to anxiety or withdrawal from activities, which, over time can create even more serious mental health issues.
Working with a respiratory therapist and/or doctor can help you understand your condition, limitations, and warning signs. This can better equip you to do what you love safely, and live rather than live in fear.
Chronic conditions may feel limiting, but a diagnosis doesn’t mean your life is over. There are so many ways you can overcome your challenges, seek support, and keep living your life with the people around you! If you feel ‘stuck,’ it may be time to make a change and lean on support systems—not only in your family and friend circles, but professionally, too.
And remember: You are never alone.
Featured Image Credit: Sweet Life