Chronic illness is all around us: Cancer, diabetes, heart disease. These struggles are often very apparent, marked by physical symptoms that affect a person for months or even years. But did you know that many people who struggle with chronic disease also struggle silently with mental health conditions? The toll that chronic illness has on the body can, in turn, disrupt a person’s mental state.
Over the years, studies have found that mental health and chronic illness are deeply connected. But why, exactly, is this the case? And what can you do to mitigate the risk of co-occurring disorders?
We unpack these questions, and more, below.
Chronic illness vs. mental illness: What’s the difference?
Chronic illness refers to non-communicable diseases that are extensive or prolonged in their duration, affecting a person for a year or longer. These conditions are treatable and manageable, but are rarely cured completely. They do not resolve on their own. Diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS are just some of the many examples of chronic illness. These diseases limit a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities, and also reduce quality of life.
Mental health disorders can also be considered chronic, when they are persistent and affect a person for a long period of time. Whether they are chronic or not, however, mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder can severely disrupt a person’s quality of life. They cause symptoms like persistent sadness and worry, hallucinations, fatigue, lack of motivation, extreme mood swings, inability to concentrate, and social withdrawal.
What’s the connection between chronic disease and mental health?
As explained by Mental Health America, it’s common for mental illness and chronic illness to co-occur. “People with cancer often have depression; people with schizophrenia often have diabetes; and people with chronic pain often have both physical and behavioral health challenges.”
Research consistently supports this. In assessing the relationship between depression and chronic disease, studies found that:
- Those with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop depression than people without
- More than half (51%) of Parkinson’s patients also have depression
- An estimated 42% of cancer patients struggle with depressive symptoms
- 23% of cerebrovascular, and 17% of cardiovascular, patients are battling depression
Unfortunately, however, many of these cases of depression do not get addressed or diagnosed. One study found that only 25% to 50% of diabetics with depression get diagnosed and treated.
So, why are these conditions so closely linked?
The relationship can be explained in two ways:
- Chronic illness can disrupt a person’s mental health.
There’s no denying that chronic illness is life-altering, taking a significant toll on the body and, eventually, the mind. Constant pain, stress, and other challenges can significantly affect a person’s ability to find joy and hope. Over time, this can lead to issues with anxiety and depression.
Additionally, certain medications can come with mental health side effects, and neurological changes caused by disorders like Parkinson’s or stroke can make a person more vulnerable to mental health conditions.
- Mental health disorders, like depression, can increase one’s risk of chronic disease.
Sometimes, mental health disorders come first. Research has found, for example, that people struggling with depression have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and osteoporosis. While the cause is not always clear, there are several reasons for this relationship.
On one hand, those battling depression tend to neglect their physical health. They may avoid exercise, eat poorly, or get suboptimal/inadequate sleep, which can take a toll over time. They may also avoid going to the doctor, let alone getting out of bed, which can prevent other health diagnoses. Further, the body changes in response to depression, and over time can cause increased inflammation, reduced blood circulation, heart rate control, abnormalities in stress hormones.
How to treat mental health and chronic health conditions
When chronic illness and mental illness co-occur, symptoms of both conditions tend to be more severe than if you were battling one disease alone. Treatment, as a result, can be complex. It’s important to ensure that the provider you see offers an integrated, collaborative approach to treatment – where both conditions are treated simultaneously, and the needs of the whole patient are met.
As explained by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), integrated treatment means that “primary care providers, care managers, and psychiatric consultants work together to provide mental and physical health care at the same location.” This approach is recommended by treatment experts nationwide.
Mental Health America (MHA) echoes this, stating, “To effectively treat an individual, we must look at the whole person, which means examining the connections that exist between traditional chronic physical conditions and mental health concerns.” In other words, no disorder should take precedence over the other – treatment must be integrated and providers must be committed to treating all conditions that are disrupting a patient’s quality of life. That is when recovery can really be reached.
Turnbridge is a reputable youth treatment provider offering integrated treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, eating disorders, and substance abuse problems. We have a specialized team of clinicians and counselors who develop personalized, needs-based treatment plans for every client that comes through our doors. If you’re struggling with debilitating mental health symptoms alongside chronic disease, we can partner with your doctors to develop a treatment plan that works for you.
Call 877-581-1793 today to learn more about our integrated treatment programs.
How to prevent mental illness when dealing with a chronic disease
If you are struggling with a chronic condition like diabetes or cancer, this does not mean that you’re guaranteed to face mental health issues. However, there are steps you can take to prevent symptoms from occurring and to take care of your mental state. For example, you can:
- Prioritize healthy eating habits
- Maintain a manageable work/school-life balance (avoid burnout)
- Work exercise into your daily routine, even if it’s just a short walk
- Get outdoors as much as possible
- Find ways to channel your stress, such as through sports or art
- Get the recommended amount of sleep each night
- Connect with others, or explore support groups, who are walking in similar shoes
- Do things that spark joy, whether that’s finding a hobby, volunteering, or gathering with friends
- Prioritize self-care, in whatever way that looks like for you
Again, if you feel like you are struggling in any capacity, please do not hesitate to reach out. Dealing with co-occurring disorders is not easy; chronic illness can exacerbate mental health symptoms and vice versa. While it can feel isolating and debilitating, know that you are not alone. We are just one call away.
Contact Turnbridge today at 877-581-1793. Or, reach out to your primary care provider to ask about mental health screening and treatment.