Navigating the Impact of Chronic Illness on Mental Health

A chronic illness doesn’t just affect your body. Living with the uncomfortable symptoms of a chronic illness can also harm your mental health. Maybe you were diagnosed with a chronic illness a long time ago, and even though you’ve adjusted to life with your condition, you’ve been struggling with your mental health recently. You may be dealing with multiple chronic illnesses, and trying to manage a wide range of symptoms is frustrating.

Perhaps you’ve only recently received a diagnosis for a chronic illness. Part of you feels relieved to have a clear explanation for your symptoms. But you’re also trying to adapt to your new reality, and it’s not an easy transition.

When you’re addressing the physical symptoms of a chronic illness, it’s important not to overlook your mental health, too. Here are a few ways to honor your mental health needs while dealing with a chronic illness.

Practice Self-Care

Think about which basic self-care practices are realistic and beneficial for you, and experiment with different ways to incorporate these practices into your routines. Some commonly recommended self-care practices might not be workable for you due to your symptoms, but that’s okay! Everyone’s self-care routines are unique. You might enjoy yoga, meditation, journaling, or another peaceful hobby.

Figure Out Your Energy Capacity

When you have a chronic illness, you might push yourself too hard in order to keep up with other people. You can easily end up feeling drained and exhausted. On the other hand, you may find yourself avoiding activities out of concern that you’re not capable. But this can lead to feeling left out, and you might not know what you can really accomplish, even with your symptoms. Test your energy capacity, and learn your true limits. Over time, you’ll be able to make room in your life for fulfilling activities that don’t exhaust you.

Stay Connected With Loved Ones

Life with a chronic illness can be isolating. You might have pushed away loved ones because you worried that they wouldn’t understand what you’re going through. Alternatively, some of your friends may have seemed quiet lately, and you’re concerned that they feel uncomfortable with your circumstances.

It can be hard to focus on relationships when you’re managing a chronic illness, but having a strong support system is key. Reach out to loved ones you haven’t talked with in a while, and connect with people who you can comfortably talk about your symptoms with. True friends will show up even when times are tough.

Communicate Openly With Your Doctor

You may need to take certain medications for your chronic illness. Additionally, you might have had to make difficult lifestyle changes. It’s important to communicate openly with your doctor about any complications or struggles you might be facing in these areas. They can recommend alternative courses of treatment that might be a better fit for you.

Consider Working With a Therapist

Maybe you’re struggling to open up to your loved ones, emphasize self-care, or keep up with activities you love without feeling overwhelmed. Despite your best intentions, it can be tough to tackle these challenges on your own when you have a chronic illness. You don’t have to walk this path all by yourself. Instead, you may want to start working with a therapist who has experience supporting clients with chronic illnesses. They can help you create a new roadmap for your life.

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Chronic illnesses can have a detrimental impact on your mental health. If you’re ready to find support, reach out to our practice to find out how our depression counselors can help you live a fulfilling life with a chronic illness.