Living with an acute or chronic disease can profoundly affect your mental health, often leading to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. While these conditions primarily affect the body, the emotional and psychological toll can be significant.
Let’s talk about the experience of living with physical illnesses
Overview
Autoimmune disease arise when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, resulting in chronic health issues. The unpredictable nature of symptoms can create uncertainty and fear, significantly impacting emotional well-being.
People with autoimmune disorders often face increased stress, anxiety, and depression. As daily activities become challenging, feelings of frustration, fatigue, and isolation may emerge. Recognising these mental health effects is essential for developing effective coping strategies and building resilience.
Symptoms
Signs to watch
When living with an autoimmune disorder, it’s crucial to be aware of certain signs that may indicate the condition is affecting your mental health. Here are some key indicators to watch for:
Emotional responses
Heightened anxiety or sadness, often tied to unpredictable symptom flare-ups or concerns about long-term health implications of the autoimmune condition.
Cognitive challenges
Difficulty concentrating, mood swings, or experiencing “brain fog” as a direct result of autoimmune inflammation or medication side effects.
Social withdrawal
Avoiding social interactions due to chronic fatigue associated with the autoimmune disorder, fear of others not understanding the invisible nature of the illness, or anxiety about potential exposure to triggers.
Feelings of helplessness
A sense of powerlessness over the unpredictable course of the autoimmune condition, potentially contributing to depression about long-term health outcomes or treatment efficacy.
Sleep disturbances
Trouble falling or staying asleep due to physical discomfort, pain from inflammation, or anxiety about managing symptoms, leading to a cycle of fatigue that can exacerbate autoimmune symptoms.
Treatments
Proven Strategies
How can we manage the mental health impacts of autoimmune disorders? It often involves a multifaceted approach, every individual’s treatment plan will be different, and that’s perfectly fine! The goal is to find what works best for you.
Tips & Tricks
Try for today
Let’s focus on what you can do right now, manageable and simple strategies that can help you navigate through the day. Here are some suggestions for “Try for today”:
Tips & Tricks
Try for tomorrow
Now, let’s focus on what you can do to grow and get better. Here we share some proactive strategies and resources that can help you.
Seek Help
When to seek professional help
If you find that living with an autoimmune disorder is causing significant emotional distress, impacting your daily life, or leading to feelings of hopelessness, it may be time to seek professional help. A psychologist can provide support, coping strategies, and a safe space to explore your feelings and experiences.
Rebekah Davenport
Psychologist
Rebekah (she/her) is an AHPRA registered psychologist who completed her postgraduate clinical training at The University of Melbourne. Her empathetic and non-judgemental approach fosters a secure therapeutic space where meaningful change can unfold, often prompting individuals to understand the past and how it presents itself in the present.
