Navigating Mental Health with Chronic Illness: A Guide to Finding Balance

Navigating Mental Health with Chronic Illness: A Guide to Finding Balance. Living with a chronic illness can be a daily struggle. Whether it’s dealing with physical pain or limitations, or the emotional toll that comes with feeling isolated or misunderstood, it can be a challenging experience. Unfortunately, chronic illness can also increase the risk of developing mental illness.

The link between Mental Health and Chronic Illness

First, it’s important to understand that chronic illness and mental illness are closely linked. According to a study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that individuals with chronic pain were more likely to have depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

Invisible and chronic illnesses could be fully misunderstood, even from your loved ones leading to physical and emotional stress, medication side effects, social isolation, changes in identity and lifestyle, and uncertainty and fear of the future.

Factors that lead to Mental Health Issues

Let’s talk a bit more about the factors that contribute to possible mental health issues:

Physical and emotional stress

Especially when feeling misunderstood and unable to complete simple tasks that others would find easy or routinary.

Social isolation and loneliness

Being unable to attend functions or social events due to your condition leaves you alone. Avoiding triggers like sound or bright lights is a challenge that prevents social interactions.

Medication side effects

For example, triptans are a common class of migraine medication that can have side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, and flushing. They can also cause more serious side effects such as chest pain or tightness, rapid heartbeat, and changes in vision or sensation. Which leads to heightened stress and anxiety.

Changes in identity and lifestyle

Having a chronic illness is comparable to the loss of someone you love, through the grieving process of losing the YOU you used to be to acceptance can be very challenging. Then the changes that come with your illness to make it manageable can be a significant adjustment that could lead to loss of relationships and misunderstanding of your circle.

Uncertainty and fear of the future, this is a big one! Who and how will you be taken care off? If you are working, how can you manage your symptoms in the long term? Probably for me this is the most serious factor. Feels like you are at the bottom of the mountain Everest without any tools, equipment or training, yet you are expected to climb to the top without delay or hesitation. It is really scary to the point of a panic attack. Not really knowing if you can really have the endurance it it will take to complete the task. Will you have the strength to get to the top? If not, can someone carry you? If not, how will you get there?

What to do to prevent mental illness?

So, with all the challenges current and ahead, how can we try to manage our mental health? Here are some tips to help you. I will have to add from personal experience that is a daily struggle. Some days you may be tempted to fall into the pity trap, don’t! It doesn’t help you or anyone. Try your best to snap out of it and choose an option that will help you overcome and manage.

Seek professional help: Found this great article from VEDA, non profit organization, take a look: “Dealing with a chronic illness goes far beyond the medical challenges it poses. Chronic illness can strain your view of yourself, your relationships, your place in society, and your plans for the future. Psychotherapy (also known as ‘counseling’ or just ‘therapy’) is a valuable resource when you are struggling with these challenges”

Practice self-care: Taking care of your physical and emotional health is crucial when you have a chronic illness. This can include exercise, healthy eating, mindfulness practices, and hobbies or activities that bring you joy.

Connect with others: Social support is essential when dealing with a chronic illness. Joining a support group or connecting with others who share your experiences can help you feel less alone.

Stay informed: Learning about your illness and its treatment can help you feel more in control and reduce anxiety about the future.

Stay positive: it’s important to focus on the positives in your life. Practice gratitude and look for ways to find joy and meaning in your daily life.