The psychological impact of arthritis is real

Having arthritis can be difficult in many ways (some obvious, some not so obvious), including how difficult it can be to know how to prioritize treatments. Because each person’s body is different, what works for one patient may or may not work for you.

That’s why it’s so important to try all available therapies before deciding which are helping you and which aren’t.

It also means knowing your disease well so that you don’t underestimate its severity. For example, people with osteoarthritis often develop symptoms in other joints as their own joint suffers from wear and tear.

This article will talk about some things that can have a significant impact on your mental health due to the way arthritis affects your life. Here we’ll discuss some conditions like stress, anxiety, depression, anger, frustration, guilt, fear, loneliness, and self-image issues. We’ll also look at certain behaviors such as risky activities and substance use.

We’ll close by talking about helpful strategies.”}

Dr. Mohammad Zaki Shahzad has a special interest in pain management and psychological interventions. He completed his medical training in Pakistan and then received his Ph.D. in psychology. Since moving to Canada, he has worked as an internal medicine doctor and psychiatrist.

He now practices general psychiatry and clinical psychology in Toronto, where he specializes in adolescent medicine and psychotherapy.

Reading this article might make you feel more informed and able to address these problems if they arise for you.

It’ll break you down

There are many things that can hurt your physical health, and for many people, arthritis in your hands or knees is particularly difficult.

Psychologically, the pain often results in increased stress, worry, frustration, depression, fear, and sometimes even self-blame. Some people even feel like giving up and wishing they were never born.

But there is help!

There are several strategies that have been shown to reduce psychological symptoms when they occur and be effective in long-term use.

These strategies focus not only on what to do to treat the pain but also how to manage moods and emotions.

Mind–body therapies such as yoga, tai chi, and massage can all boost overall well-being by improving sleep, reducing stress levels, and enhancing the sense of control.

Healthy behaviors including eating well, keeping active, and learning new skills and hobbies can improve your quality of life significantly.

It’s hard to do things

Even simple activities can be difficult for people with arthritis. They may need special equipment or resources to feel comfortable doing something. This could include using a stool instead of a table, buying a new pair of shoes that fit better, or finding ways to ease the pain when sitting for long periods.

For example, someone who has knee joint inflammation might find it uncomfortable to climb up and down stairs. They might use a stepladder or an elevator instead so they don’t have to go as many steps or take as many flights of stairs.

It’s also important to remember that not everyone enjoys watching TV, going out, or interacting with others in the same way. Some individuals enjoy being alone, for instance, and this is a valuable thing to recognize about oneself.

There are several types of exercise that can help improve overall health even more. For people with arthritis, yoga and tai chi are two examples of exercises that can be done without having heavy weights lifted or muscle groups engaged.

It may result in feeling depressed

Beyond physical symptoms, having arthritis can also have a significant psychological effect. When people with arthritis are not aware of the disease or what steps they can take to manage it, it can make them feel more hopeless and discouraged.

They may worry about whether the treatments will work and if they’ll help in the future, making them feel sick and helpless.

It can also contribute to anxiety and depression because of concerns about activity and limitations due to pain. These feelings often persist even when people experience periods of improvement.

Some individuals cope better than others do. But there is always something someone else could be doing that helps them feel less stressed out, which can make it easier for them to put their thoughts into action.

Above all, healthcare providers who treat rheumatoid arthritis patients need to recognize the stress these patients are under and address this effectively.

By educating oneself on RA and seeking professional support, these stresses can dissipate.

If you are struggling to deal with emotional issues related to your illness, ask for help. There are many resources available to you. You don’t have to struggle alone.

It makes you frustrated

Aching, pain, and stiffness are just some of the symptoms that come with arthritis. When things get bad enough, it can affect your daily life.

It may be difficult to do everyday activities like walking or standing for long periods, putting stress on the body. This could also cause emotional distress as time goes on.

At its worst, depression and anxiety can set in which is very harmful. People may feel hopeless and helpless.

There are many ways to manage mental health issues related to arthritis. There are different treatments and strategies depending on what area of the disease a person is experiencing.

One simple thing that actually works is to celebrate the little things. Try focusing on the small milestones in your life. These might be doing something you’ve never done before, talking at a party, or even celebrating an anniversary.

Whatever happens, don’t let your illness stop you from achieving your goals.

It makes you angry

People with arthritis are often made to feel bad about themselves and their condition. When people look down on you because of your disease, it can hurt deeply.

Arthritis can sometimes be due to poor health habits or genetics. But most cases have no clear cause.

That’s why it is important for doctors to check for internal causes like gout, lupus, or infection before attributing symptoms to inflammation or bone deterioration caused by arthritis.

For example, if someone complains of knee pain but has no history of arthritis, they may need an MRI or X-ray of their knees to determine whether there is something else going on.

But even when the source of the arthritis is known, psychological effects still remain.

It makes you sad

Many people feel tired, overwhelmed, stressed out, and depressed due to all the changes that occur around them because of their arthritis.

Arthritis can negatively affect every area of your life — work, family, friends, self-care, and more.

It’s important to remember that the symptoms of the arthritic disease may go away after achieving an acute (short-term) remission.

However, the effects of this chronic (long-term) condition usually linger for years afterward, even decades in some cases.

Chronic pain is a very significant stress factor that can have lasting negative impacts on mental and physical health. Because of this, it’s essential to address the psychological issues related to arthritis as early as possible.

Here are some things some may feel due to osteoarthritis and other types of arthritis…

What you’re feeling doesn’t make sense to you?

You might be wondering why you’re experiencing certain feelings or thoughts.

This isn’t abnormal – most people who experience knee or hip pain don’t understand what’s causing their discomfort.

In fact, one study found that only about half of patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis were able to identify any specific cause for their joint pain when asked directly!1

But here’s something weird…

It makes you lonely

When people notice that you don’t seem to be your normal self, they may ask if you are feeling ill or if something is wrong. You might feel like you have to explain everything about your disease, how it affects you, and what help you have access to.

That can make you uncomfortable because you don’t want others to think you are sick or limited due to your condition.

You also might worry whether someone will consider you too sick to hang out with them, which could hurt your feelings.

It can be difficult to talk about your arthritis when you aren’t in the mood to do so.

If you are in an active phase of symptoms, you may keep your diagnosis private until you are able to relax more. Or you may choose not to tell certain people because you fear they won’t like you anymore or treat you differently.

On days when you feel worse than usual, you may decide not to invite people over, or you may limit the activities you did invite them for. All of these things can add up to make you feel alone and depressed.

Running down lists of all the ways you cannot participate in an activity has a negative effect on you. In fact, it can become very frustrating!

At times, you may feel like giving up and staying at home to avoid other people.