Chronic Health Conditions
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention defines chronic illness as “conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both.” Common examples include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic pain. Despite the prevalence of these conditions, those affected often face societal marginalization and unique stigmas and challenges.
Effects On Mental Health
Research shows that dealing with challenges from chronic health conditions can have a significant impact on one’s mental health. People with chronic conditions often experience profound physical and emotional isolation. Socializing, working, and other activities can become daunting tasks. Relationships may suffer due to the effects of these conditions on mood and energy, which loved ones often find difficult to understand or accept. Many individuals with chronic health issues feel shame and self-blame, believing they should manage or ignore their symptoms better. This self-blame can be deeply affecting, even when it is not rationally justified. These struggles can make it challenging for individuals with chronic illnesses to seek and receive the support needed to maintain a good quality of life.
How to Get Help
Research on the mental health of people with chronic health conditions highlights several strategies that can be beneficial:
- Practice Self-Compassion: Research shows that those who are kind to themselves while managing their conditions tend to have more positive outcomes than those who are self-critical. Allowing oneself the emotional space to process complicated feelings about one's illness is crucial. Losing one's health is a significant loss that deserves to be grieved like any other major loss.
- Cultivate Supportive Relationships: The difficulty of feeling understood and empathized with can drive many people with chronic conditions to stay silent about their struggles.
- Opening communication with friends and loved ones about their experiences can help address this isolation
- Getting involved with local groups and condition-specific resources can also be beneficial
- Connecting with others facing similar challenges can help combat the stigma and isolation associated with chronic health conditions. Mutual aid groups can provide practical advice and resources for navigating specific challenges. For many conditions, these can be found through local searches or by asking a medical provider.
Chronic medical conditions present unique challenges that put a serious strain on sufferers’ mental health. Recognizing these challenges and finding support can be a crucial part of living a happy and productive life despite these struggles.