Chronic diseases, which include incurable and ongoing diseases, affect over 40% of the population (around 133 million people) in the US—as reported by the National Health Council. Some of the most common chronic conditions are heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, and pulmonary conditions—and all take a mental as well as a psychological toll. A 2023 study (Huang, et.al., 2023) found that chronic diseases are significantly associated with mental health concerns. In this post, we will delve into this link and discuss strategies to help clients with chronic diseases boost their resilience.
Studies on Diseases and Mental Health
Some studies have shown that people with chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes are more prone to developing mental health conditions. Moreover, the difficulties associated with managing a disease can contribute to psychological distress and mental health issues. For instance, people with kidney disease have numerous burdens to withstand, including attending frequent medical appointments, strict diets, and medication schedules, and uncertainty regarding the success of their treatments.
The Bidirectional Relationship Between Chronic Diseases and Mental Health Conditions
Consistent research indicates that there is a bidirectional relationship between chronic diseases and mental health conditions. That is, each influences the other. Studies have also shown that people with depression have a higher chance of coronary heart disease, which affects daily function and can exacerbate psychological distress. Research also demonstrates that there is a reciprocal association between depression and atrial fibrillation. Effective antiarrhythmic therapies and treatments like the use of an implantable defibrillator, catheter ablation, or pharmacotherapy have been shown to alleviate patients’ depressive symptoms.
Strategies for Therapists to Address Mental Health Issues Related to Chronic Health Problems
There are several approaches therapists can use to address the mental health issues that accompany chronic health problems, including cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a gold standard therapy for depression and anxiety. Therapists can guide patients to develop healthier coping mechanisms and experiment with healthier behaviors that can have a positive effect on their thoughts and emotions. Another approach favored by patients is acceptance and commitment therapy, which helps clients acknowledge their reality without letting their illness define their identity.
Helpful Activities
Under the guiding hand of their therapist, clients can learn to practice powerful activities such as mindfulness meditation and cognitive defusion. Meditation and yoga in particular have been found in numerous studies to be helpful with conditions such as chronic lower back pain. All these approaches can be backed by educating clients on the impact of chronic illness. By normalizing feelings of frustration, grief, and helplessness, clients can let go of self-blame and focus instead on self-management skills and coping strategies through practices such as self-care.
