Living with chronic illnesses is challenging enough already, but can also have a surprisingly big impact on mental health, with depression being one of the most common challenges people with long-term health conditions face.
Living with a persistent ailment is more than just dealing with physical symptoms. It’s an ongoing journey that can reshape a person’s lifestyle and outlook on life.
Let’s take a closer look at how chronic illnesses influence depression and some ways people cope with this unique challenge:
- The emotional toll of diagnosis
- When someone is first diagnosed with a chronic illness, it often brings shock, fear, or even a sense of disbelief.
This initial period can be tremendously stressful as they begin to understand what their diagnosis means for their life now and in the future.
That’s why many experience a sense of loss, which is natural since they come to terms with limitations they didn’t face before. This period of adjustment often goes along with a large amount of sadness and worry. These feelings may develop into depression if they persist.
- Physical symptoms and their effect on mood
- Chronic illnesses often come with signs like pain, fatigue, and mobility issues, which can wear down resilience over time.
For instance, pain that doesn’t go away or constantly feeling tired can make it hard to enjoy everyday activities or socialize, leading to isolation.
This can create a “pain-depression” cycle where physical discomfort worsens mood, and a low mood can consequently amplify pain or fatigue, making it even harder to break free from that negative spiral.
- Changes in lifestyle and daily routine
- Many chronic conditions require lifestyle changes like dietary restrictions and frequent doctor visits that can feel restrictive.
Situations such as diabetes or autoimmune disorders can be exhausting and mentally taxing because they demand constant observance.
To illustrate my point, carefully managing blood sugar levels daily or avoiding certain foods can make people feel like they’re “different” or missing out by disrupting daily life and causing social discomfort.
These annoyances frequently create frustration and depression over time.
- Enduring disorders may influence self-esteem by affecting physical appearance, mobility, or independence.
States like lupus or skin conditions regularly cause visible changes, which can make people feel self-conscious or anxious about others’ reactions. The loss of physical strength or independence can also be a factor in making people question their self-worth, leading to a dip in confidence.
- Living with a recurrent ailment often changes how people interact with friends and family.
Physical limitations, fatigue, or fear of judgment can make socializing harder, leading to fewer outings, activities, or shared experiences.
This can create loneliness or isolation, which is unfortunate since people start to lose a critical defense against depression when they withdraw socially.
The support and companionship that come from staying connected are essential, but chronic illness can make this challenging.
- Persistent illnesses can also bring unexpected financial stress from medical bills to the costs of medications and therapies.
Additionally, some people might have to cut back on work hours or even leave their jobs, which creates financial pressure and can strain relationships.
- Many people with lingering problems worry about being a burden to their family or friends. That’s particularly true if they need help with daily tasks.
This could create guilt or shame if they feel like they’re taking time, money, or energy from their loved ones.
- One of the most frustrating aspects of a chronic disease is the feeling of losing control over one’s own life.
People can feel stuck when daily activities are dependent on how they’re feeling or restricted by a flare-up.
The unpredictability of many chronic issues may lead to frustration and powerlessness since it means people often have to cancel plans, give up hobbies, or change routines.
- Chronic illnesses can also strain relationships because friends or family may sometimes struggle to understand the sickness or have a hard time relating to what their loved one is going through.
Partners could create stress for both people involved by taking on additional caregiving roles and shifting the dynamics of a relationship.
- Some returning conditions, like autoimmune diseases and certain neurological conditions, have underlying biological or genetic components that may also predispose a person to depression.
For example, situations like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease can sometimes contribute to depressive symptoms by affecting brain chemistry and function.
Chronic inflammation is also common in many prolonged syndromes and has been linked to mood problems, meaning the illness itself can play a physical role in triggering or worsening depression.
- Living with a persistent disorder usually means ongoing treatment and sometimes even hospitalizations.
This can create a lot of medical anxiety and constant reminders of sickness, making it harder to focus on the positive aspects of life. People may begin to feel defined by their illness over time, leading to a phenomenon called “illness identity.”
- Persistent diseases often require long-term medication, which can come with side effects that negatively impact mood, energy, or sleep.
Medications like steroids may cause mood swings or anxiety, increasing the risk of depression.
The daily routine of taking medication itself can feel like a constant reminder of the illness and reinforce a sense of dependency or loss of control over the body.
- Prolonged ailments can interrupt or even alter life plans like career ambitions or travel dreams.
This illness may create disappointment and insufficiency due to requiring a shift to less physically demanding work or even early retirement.
Adjusting long-held goals and dreams can create “grief over the life not lived,” which may develop into depression if they feel they’re forced to abandon or change key aspirations.
- Impact on family dynamics and role changes
- Chronic illness doesn’t just affect the individual; it impacts the whole family.
If someone was the main provider or caregiver and could no longer fulfill that role, it could increase stress for everyone involved by shifting the family dynamics.
This role reversal or dependency on others can lead to mood disorders as they mourn a role they once had and are no longer able to fulfill.
- Continual diseases can be unpredictable, with “good days” and “bad days” that are hard to plan around.
This instability regularly creates frustration and anxiety if people must cancel plans or miss out on activities.
- Persistent disorders like chronic fatigue syndrome or mental health conditions themselves aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Some people may feel misunderstood, judged, or even disbelieved because others can’t “see” the illness.
This lack of validation or empathy from others can cause isolation and self-doubt.
- Sleep disruptions and fatigue
- Chronic ailments frequently come with sleep disturbances, whether from pain, medication side effects, or anxiety related to the illness itself.
Poor sleep quality can drain energy, reduce resilience, and make it difficult to engage in activities that bring joy, all of which can contribute to depression. Fatigue can also make it harder to focus on hobbies or socializing.
- Many people with continual illnesses face a loss of autonomy if they require assistance with basic tasks or mobility.
This sense of dependency regularly delivers a heavy blow to self-esteem, causing frustration and sadness. Needing help can be a big adjustment for those who were once highly independent, which is why sufficient support and understanding are so important.
- Suffering from prolonged disorders often means spending a lot of time in medical environments like doctors’ offices and hospitals, making people feel like they’re living life “between appointments” rather than fully experiencing their days.
The constant focus on managing health can take a heavy toll on mental health by making people feel trapped in a cycle of treatments.
- Facing a persistent disease brings the unknown into everyday life.
Worries about disease progression, potential complications, or the risk of new symptoms often cause a looming sense of dread. This “future fear” can lead to anticipatory grief, where people mourn the possibility of losing more of their health or independence.
How people with chronic illnesses manage and cope with depression
Living with both a chronic illness and depression is challenging. Yet, many people develop ways to manage and thrive. Here are some approaches that help:
- Building a support system
Having supportive friends and family, or even joining a support group of others with similar conditions, can help people feel understood and less alone. Just being able to talk about the ups and downs with someone who gets it can lift the burden significantly. - Seeking professional help
Therapy can provide tools for dealing with stress, guilt, and sadness. Many people also find that speaking with a therapist who understands chronic illness is especially beneficial. Sometimes, medication is also part of managing depression when it arises from chronic illness. - Practicing self-compassion and acceptance
It’s important to let go of self-blame and practice kindness toward oneself. Acknowledging that it’s okay to have bad days or feel upset can prevent a person from getting stuck in a cycle of self-criticism. - Exploring mindfulness and relaxation techniques
Meditation, breathing exercises, and gentle physical activities like yoga or walking can help reduce stress, lift mood, and even improve pain management. - Finding purpose in small things
Chronic illness often brings limitations, but people find ways to enjoy life on a new scale, like discovering hobbies, connecting with others online, or setting small personal goals that bring satisfaction and joy.
How to build resilience against depression in the context of chronic illness
While living with persistent disease and depression at the same time is tough, building resilience and adopting coping strategies can make a big difference. These are a few additional ideas that are known to work:
- Practice adaptive thinking
Adopting a flexible mindset and adjusting expectations can be very helpful.
Finding alternative activities that are easier on the body but still enjoyable can bring a renewed sense of purpose if a favorite activity isn’t realistic anymore, for example. - Set “realistic” positive goals
Objectives don’t have to be grand to be meaningful.
Setting small and achievable goals each day like going for a short walk or engaging in a creative hobby can already go a long way toward creating a sense of accomplishment. - Consider cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is a widely used therapy that is effective in helping people with chronic illnesses manage depression by concentrating on changing unhelpful thought patterns.
It’s especially useful for addressing helplessness and frustration. - Create a “hope file”
This can be something as simple as a collection of positive quotes, photos of loved ones, meaningful achievements, or personal goals.
Reviewing this “hope file” during tough days can be a reminder of joy and strength. - Get involved with advocacy or support groups
Joining a support group or working with advocacy organizations can help people feel empowered, as they not only find support for themselves but also contribute to awareness and change around their illness.
Final thoughts
Living with a chronic illness and depression simultaneously is not easy. Nevertheless, many people find that it’s possible to find balance and joy amidst the challenges by taking things one day at a time and focusing on small, positive steps.
Just remember that reaching out for help and support can make all the difference on this journey.
