The Connection Between Chronic Illness and Mental Health

Did you know? Patients diagnosed with a chronic illness are more likely to have a behavioral health condition. This is also true the other way around; someone with a mental health diagnosis is more likely to have a chronic illness. What’s more, research suggests that people who have depression and another medical illness tend to have more severe symptoms of both illnesses.

Keep reading to learn more about the link between chronic illness and mental health and what you can do to improve your health.

Understanding the Mind-Body Connection

In medicine, we now understand that the mind and body are linked, and unmanaged stress can seriously impact our health. In fact, many chronic physical conditions are often known to be caused or worsened by high levels of stress, such as:

• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Sleep problems
• High blood pressure
• Chronic pain  

In addition, a chronic illness diagnosis can alter your life. Managing recurring, expensive medical appointments can feel overwhelming and lead to an overall sadness about your situation. It’s normal to feel grief, sadness, anger, and resentment temporarily. However, long-lasting sadness may turn into depression.  

In essence, many people can relate to dealing with symptoms of a chronic illness, potentially leading to feelings of depression. Which in turn can further prolong the illness and worsen health outcomes, leading to increased feelings of depression. It can feel like you are stuck in a never-ending cycle.

Why People with Chronic Illnesses are More at Risk for Depression  

Chronic illness may limit what you can get done in a day, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks and participate in activities you enjoy. No surprise, then, that people with chronic illness often feel distressed or isolated. Other triggers for depression associated with chronic illness can include:  

• Anxiety and stress. People with chronic physical conditions often experience emotional stress and chronic pain, which are both associated with the development of depression and anxiety.  
• Pain. Common conditions associated with chronic pain include arthritis, back/neck pain, fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, multiple sclerosis and menstruation-related pain. If you have chronic pain, you are four times more likely to have depression or anxiety than someone without pain.  
• Changes to the brain. Some chronic physical conditions can cause changes in the brain:
  • In people who have diabetes, glucose can build up in the blood stream, causing high blood sugar and disrupting circulation, which in turn impacts brain function.  
  • Parkinson's disease and stroke cause changes in the brain, which can trigger symptoms of depression.  
• Medications. Some medications used to treat chronic physical conditions have been known to cause depression, including oral contraceptives, blood pressure medications, statins for high cholesterol, benzodiazepines, opioids and beta-blockers. It is important to tell your provider if you are experiencing symptoms of depression while taking these medications. They may be able to recommend alternate medications.  

Chronic Conditions Commonly Associated with Depression

Research indicates that depression is common among people with chronic illnesses like:

• Diabetes
• Parkinson’s disease
• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Alzheimer’s
• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis

People with chronic illnesses often overlook their symptoms of depression. They assume that feeling sad is normal for someone struggling with disease or are focused more on treating the symptoms of their physical condition. When you have both a chronic illness and depression, you need to treat both at the same time.  

Be sure to talk with your provider about your mental health as part of your treatment plan. Your provider can work with you on both your physical and mental health to find the right wellness plan for you.

Tips for Coping with Chronic Illness and Depression

Having depression and a chronic illness can feel debilitating, but there are ways you can cope:

• Maintain healthy relationships with loved ones
• Find a support group with people living with your illness
• Speak regularly with your medical team regarding diagnosis and treatment questions
• Try to build a routine with hobbies, time with friends, and anything else you like to do
• Seek treatment from a mental health professional

Depression is treatable — even if you have another medical illness or condition. For more information, check out our Behavioral Health Resources.

Patients diagnosed with a chronic illness are more likely to have a behavioral health condition. Compass Rose Living Well helps deliver integrated care by focusing on physical and behavioral health equally. They can help coordinate care and treatment for better whole-person health.