Written by: Amanda Phillips
To me, living with chronic illness is not just symptom management. I really feel emotional turmoil weighs just as heavy, if heavier. I know the ride that chronic illness can take: anxiety and depression love to come along for the ride, hence this never-ending feeling of being overwhelmed in body and mind. And I know I am not alone, so maybe you're reading this and feeling it, too.
It's little wonder that one's mental health might suffer when always fighting the pain, tiredness, or symptoms that make life so unpredictable. Some days, one waits for the next flare-up or tries to find a way just to get through the day without falling apart. But here's the thing: you don't have to feel this way, and there are ways of coping.
Chronic illness and issues regarding one's mental health do go hand in hand rather easily. Being in this constant state of "what's next?" concerning your health, it will only naturally build up anxiety in the mind. The isolation that many times goes along with chronic conditions, like having to miss out on social events, having to cancel plans, or feelings of being a burden in general, may indeed contribute to depression.
For me, it has been the most frustrating that the symptoms are so unpredictable—you never know how you're going to feel the next day, and that's something that can be very paralyzing. You start to question anything: "Can I commit to this event? Will I be too tired? What if I have a flare-up?" It's exhausting to live like that, inside your head and out.
Then there is chronic illness—where the body is just putting out warning signals all of the time. It isn't just the pain or the fatigue; it is the uncertainty. Will I feel okay tomorrow? How will I cope at work? And on it goes, ad infinitum with the "what ifs". That creates this underlying stress that never quite goes away. Probably symptoms being so unpredictable do more than anything else to promote anxiety—at any rate, they do in my case.
It could also make a person feel isolated because one finds oneself always staying at home, canceling at the last minute, or just avoiding events since one is not sure how the body would behave. This tendency to be isolated then makes you feel you're missing out on life, and with time, that starts taking a toll on your mental health. You start to feel, "What's the point in even trying?" And depression sets in that way.
It is easy to get wrapped up in the physical aspect of chronic illness and not see the toll it can take on you emotionally. Anxiety and depression can be easily masqueraded through frustration that is demonstrated in trying to deal with a chronic illness. Here are some signs anxiety and depression may affect you:
If you know these feelings, understand that it is okay to raise your hand and ask for help. Living with a chronic illness does not have to mean you face it all on your own, especially where your mental health is concerned.
These are a few strategies that, over time, I have learned to help deal with the psychic burden of chronic illness. Perhaps these may not be panaceas, but they are just tiny things that make a whole lot of difference.
Mindfulness and meditation are now part of my daily routine. I'm first to admit: I was skeptical, but focusing on the present—even if it's only for a few minutes—helps quiet the anxiety about the future. When it all gets overwhelming, I stop and do some deep breathing or follow a short meditation. It doesn't fix it all, but it does help me reset when I'm spiraling.
It has been the lifesaver for me. I track my symptoms, but emotionally this is how I process. It is in the act of writing these things down that actually helps me figure out what is going on inside my body—physically and mentally. Something like the IBD Journal has given me the capability not just to record my illness but to note ups and downs emotionally, along with what has been helpful during appointments when trying to explain what may be occurring.
It is not a shameful thing to reach out for support when the burden is more than one can bear. Therapy has given me a safe space to talk through my fears, anxieties, and frustrations concerning my illness. If it feels like you are sinking, reaching out to a professional can get you again onto solid ground.
One of the biggest things I've learned is the power of a support system: While chronic illness can be isolating, it's connecting to the people who get it—friends, family, or members of the chronic illness community—that help make all the difference. Joining support groups either online or physically has helped me not feel so alone in this journey.
And it's often in these little things that comfort lies when you're down. They're the comforting things for me: the idea of being covered under a quilt, in this case, the Quilted Comfort Blanket, can make me feel calm when anxiety levels are high. The soft weight of this blanket is curiously comforting, an embrace that may help quiet the frazzled nervous system. On tough days, being wrapped in something warm and plush makes me centered and not as anxious.
Having to manage a chronic illness takes enough of a toll on the body, but it's hard on the mind, too. Anxiety and depression are very real parts of this journey with chronic illness, but the good news is, there are ways to cope. Whether through practicing mindfulness, journaling with tools like the IBD Journal, seeking therapy, or finding comfort in something like the Quilted Comfort Blanket, taking care of one's mental health is huge.
You are not alone. Bad days are allowed, and it's okay to ask for help. Be kind with your mind like you would do with symptoms in your body. But always remember this: in this journey, you are allowed to have support, understanding, and care.
0 comments
The most-loved pieces that blend comfort, quality, and style. These favorites are tried, true, and perfect for your everyday wellness journey
