Having arthritis can contribute to anxiety and depression. Learn how to keep the condition from taking a toll on your emotional well being.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Living with arthritis isn’t easy. Your joints ache. It can hurt to get out of bed in the morning. Even easy things like tying your shoe or opening a jar may be hard to do, and it can be stressful when you have to miss work or skip important events because you don’t feel well.
A third of people with arthritis experience anxiety or depression. A lot of them never ask for help, but ignoring the issue can lead to a vicious cycle.
When you hurt, you may feel depressed, which makes you want to sit and do nothing. You might also forget to take your arthritis medication.
But not moving your joints and skipping your medicine will make your pain and stiffness even worse. You can break this cycle by controlling your arthritis symptoms and focusing on your emotional well-being.
Talk to your doctor if you have any of these signs of depression for at least 2 weeks:
• Sadness or hopelessness
• No interest in activities you used to love
• Loss of appetite
• Trouble getting to sleep, or sleeping too much
• Feeling tired and having no energy
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Having trouble thinking or concentrating
• Or worrying all the time
Your doctor might recommend talk therapy where a therapist helps you cope with pain, manage flare-ups, and learn how to relax. Or they might suggest an antidepressant medication, which can improve both your mood and your pain.
Joining an arthritis support group can also be helpful by allowing you to talk to others dealing with the same challenges.
There are also things you can do that help with both arthritis and the emotional issues surrounding it. Like exercise. Moving your body can cause it to release chemicals called endorphins that naturally boost your mood. Exercise also helps you lose weight, which can take stress off your joints and help you sleep better.
Certain exercise programs are especially good for people with arthritis. For example, yoga, which can relieve pain and stiffness, improve mood, and reduce anxiety.
With arthritis, it’s natural to focus on your physical health, but by taking care of your emotional health as well, you’ll help both your mind and your body feel better.