Chronic illness impacts mental health - here’s what you can do about it.

The bio-psycho-social model acknowledges that health is not just about biology; psychological and social factors also shape it. Chronic illness is a prime example of how these factors intersect.

Physical symptoms can cause mental challenges

Chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or autoimmune conditions often come with persistent physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues. These symptoms can:

• Disrupt sleep and energy levels, leading to exhaustion.

• Trigger inflammation or hormonal imbalances that directly impact mood and mental health.

• Limit physical activity, which is often a protective factor for mental well-being.

Chronic illness can be hard to cope with

The psychological toll of chronic illness is immense. It often involves:

• Grief and Loss: Chronic illness can lead to a sense of loss, loss of physical abilities, independence, or the life a person may have envisioned. This grief can be ongoing as new limitations arise.

• Stress and Anxiety: Managing symptoms, navigating healthcare systems, and dealing with uncertainty about the future can create chronic stress.

• Depression: The lethargy cycle of depression, where physical symptoms perpetuate feelings of hopelessness, can be particularly strong in individuals with chronic illness.

Chronic illness can impact your social life

Social determinants of health, such as access to care and supportive environments, play a critical role. However, chronic illness often creates barriers, such as:

• Isolation: Reduced energy and physical limitations can make maintaining relationships and social activities difficult.

• Stigma: Non-apparent disabilities, like chronic pain or neuroimmune conditions, are often dismissed or misunderstood, leaving people feeling invalidated.

• Financial Strain: The cost of treatments, missed work, and reduced earning potential can create significant stress and limit access to necessary care.

Relationships can shift with chronic illness

Chronic illness can strain relationships with partners, family, friends, or colleagues.

• Emotional Distance: Loved ones may struggle to understand the lived experience of chronic illness, leading to feelings of isolation.

• Caregiver Fatigue: Partners or family members may take on caregiving roles, shifting relationship dynamics and leading to resentment or burnout.

• Communication Challenges: Explaining fluctuating symptoms or setting boundaries can be exhausting, especially when faced with disbelief or minimization.

The way you interact with the world can change with chronic illness

The day-to-day experience of living with chronic illness often involves:

• Reduced Participation: Activities that once brought someone joy, like hobbies or social events, may no longer feel accessible.

• Unpredictability: The unpredictable nature of chronic illness symptoms can make it difficult to plan or maintain routines.

• Identity Shifts: Chronic illness can alter a person's sense of self, leading to feelings of disconnection or a loss of purpose.

It’s normal to feel grief after a diagnosis

One of the most challenging aspects of chronic illness is the ongoing grief it brings. Unlike grief from a singular loss, this grief is recurrent and evolves.

• Ambiguous Loss: Chronic illness often involves a loss that is not clear-cut, such as the loss of abilities that fluctuate or the loss of a future that somebody once imagined.

• Adapting to New Normals: Each new symptom or limitation can trigger a fresh wave of grief, requiring constant adjustment.

• Societal Pressures: The pressure to "stay positive" or "push through" can invalidate this grief, making it harder to process.

Coping with chronic illness and depression

While the challenges of chronic illness are significant, there are ways to navigate these experiences and improve mental health and quality of life:

1. Seek Affirming Care

Work with healthcare providers who validate your experiences and offer trauma-informed, person-centred care.

Consider therapy or counselling with professionals who specialize in chronic illness, grief, or neurodivergence.

2. Build a Support Network

Connect with others who share similar experiences through support groups or online communities.

Educate loved ones about your condition to foster understanding and compassion.

3. Honour Your Grief

Allow yourself to feel and process the grief that comes with chronic illness. Journaling, therapy, or creative expression can help.

Recognize that grief is not linear and that it's okay to have difficult days.

4. Focus on Small Wins

Celebrate small accomplishments, even on challenging days.

Break tasks into manageable steps to reduce overwhelm.

5. Advocate for Accessibility

Advocate for sensory-friendly environments, workplace accommodations, and inclusive healthcare practices.

Push back against stigma by sharing your story (if you feel comfortable) or supporting advocacy efforts.

Moving Forward with Compassion

Chronic illness and mental health exist in a delicate interplay, each influencing the other in ways that can feel overwhelming. By approaching these challenges through a biopsycho-social lens, we can better understand the full scope of their impact and work towards solutions that honour the whole person.

Big thanks to Prismatic Compassion for this guest blog.

At Prismatic Compassion, we believe in supporting clients holistically, validating their unique experiences, and helping them navigate the complexities of chronic illness and mental health. If you're seeking affirming online therapy, we're here to help.

🌐 Visit us at www.prismaticcompassion.com

📧 Contact us at info.prismaticcompassion@gmail.com