Chronic Illness: How it Impacts Your Emotions
Is your chronic illness hiding the real you? The you that used to laugh, be adventurous and enjoy life to the hilt. Did you know that your emotions may be affecting your illness? Many individuals diagnosed with a chronic illness have great difficulty adjusting to this fact and may develop long-standing emotional problems, mostly consisting of depression and anxiety. These same individuals often make the mistake of not seeking treatment for their emotional symptoms believing it is a ‘normal reaction’ given their medical situation. Depression and anxiety can sabotage adjustment to their illness, lower tolerance for pain and even worsen their medical condition. Emotions, thoughts and medical problems can affect each other. Here are two examples of people with chronic illnesses and untreated depression and anxiety. Hopelessness Cycle An individual does not consistently follow up on his treatment recommendations because he feels hopeless about his life ever improving. Without routine treatments his ability to get around declines due to lack of exercise and weakening muscles As a result he gets more depressed and anxious about his illness. He finally discontinues all help much to the regrets of his family. Pain – Emotion – Pain Cycle Another individual has been missing work because of avoiding pain when he walks despite his physician telling him, “Don’t give in to it.” Fearful of not being able to pay his bills, he develops panic attacks, his perception of pain increases and he misses even more time at work. This cycle of pain – anxiety – more pain caused him to quit his job. You can stop the formation of these cycles and find the real you. Enjoy your life again! Get help.
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