There’s been quite a lot of recent coverage about the link between chronic illness and a person’s mental health. It comes after research by the Australian Health Policy Collaboration (AHPC) at Victoria University found that 2.5 million people are living with both conditions.
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Previous research funded by the federal Department of Health and Ageing, and in part conducted by Dr David Clarke in the psychological medicine department at Monash University, found depression is more common in all chronic disease groups than the general population. Anxiety, meanwhile, is more common in people with heart disease, stroke and cancer.
Chronic disease and mental health illness can be draining on those living with an illness, their families, co-workers and communities. Therefore, finding out you have a chronic illness may exacerbate the symptoms of a pre-existing mental health condition.
Through the AHPC research, the following was identified. Men who suffered from mental health conditions were 52 per cent more likely to report having a circulatory system disease than the general population, while women with mental health concerns were 41 per cent more likely.
There were 28 per cent of men who suffered from back pain who also had a mental health condition, while 74 per cent were more likely to report having back pain. Whereas there were 27 per cent of women with similar conditions with 68 per cent more likely to report it. In regards to diabetes, 10 per cent of men and 7 per cent of women had a mental health condition. It was further reported that 15 per cent of men and 12 per cent of women with asthma also had mental health conditions. Overall, women were 23 per cent more likely to have both a mental and physical illness than men.
Given these mind boggling statistics, what can you do if you have a chronic disease and also suffer from mental health issues? First, ensure you are comfortable with your medical experts who are helping you through this process. Try and build a relationship with them so you can openly raise questions and concerns, making you more knowledgeable about your illness which in turn will help you feel more settled.
Try and accept the hand you have been dealt. It’s quite normal to feel fear and sadness as you make sense of what you are going through. Slowly begin to formulate a plan for living your life with an understanding you are not alone. There are many online support forums and organisations out there, as well local groups if you feel a need to meet with people face to face. Surround yourself with things that make you feel good as you begin your pathway of healing.
Try and accept the hand you have been dealt. It’s quite normal to feel fear and sadness as you make sense of what you are going through.
Find yourself a person you can speak to on a regular basis, such as a religious person, support lines or a counsellor. It is also quite normal to generate negative self-talk as the adjustment to this new way of life can be psychologically exhausting. If you engage with a mental health practitioner, they may use treatment such as cognitive behavioural therapy to help change repetitive and negative thought patterns that are the root cause of one’s depression.
Most importantly, immediately reduce stress in your life as much as possible. Heightened stress in itself is known to be a trigger for mental and physical health conditions. Get as much sleep as necessary. Conversely, many will find that changes in one’s diet can be effective as is various forms of exercise, both in moderation of course. Holistic approaches like yoga, Pilates and meditation can relax the mind and help heal the soul, also providing you with more effective and efficient ways of breathing. Other alternative avenues can include massage, spas, acupuncture or saunas.
A word of caution, there are many over-the-counter supplements on the market. Before you go down that road, always consult with your medical professionals to ensure there are not any contradictions with any medications you may already be on, as the last thing you will need are any complications as a result of mixing the two.
Chronic disease and mental health conditions may be a full-time job to manage at times. It’s one that takes an effort and a willingness to make changes to your daily life and routine.
Dr Anthony Perrone is college counsellor at Trinity Anglican College. The views expressed are Dr Perrone's and not necessarily those of Trinity Anglican College.