The emotional side of arthritis

I just read this and thought it would be good to share with those of you dealing with arthritis.

The Emotional Side of Arthritis

Managing physical arthritis pain involves carefully following a treatment plan, but your emotional health can affect your level of arthritis pain, too, and shouldn't be ignored.

By Diana Rodriguez

Medically reviewed by Christine Wilmsen Craig, MD

The aches and pains of arthritis can really put a damper on your spirits. It's no wonder — it's hard to keep your chin up when your joints are aching, throbbing, hot, and stiff with pain. That's why so many people experience depression and other mental health issues as a result of their arthritis. And a recent study found that being depressed can actually increase the pain felt by patients with even mild or moderate cases of arthritis.
Pain can put a halt on a lot of activities that bring you joy: you don't want to exercise, you can't get out and have fun with friends and family — you may not be able to do even the simplest things around the house or take care of basic needs when your joints are really giving you trouble. At moments like this, take a step back, draw in a deep breath, and shift your focus to your emotional health.

The Mind-Body Link in Arthritis

Pain and depression go hand in hand, and the relationship can feed on itself. People in pain are often depressed because of their pain, and people with depression often experience physical pain and symptoms as a result of their poor emotional health. Chronic pain clearly affects emotional and physical health. One study showed that up to 60 percent of people with depression also suffer symptoms of pain.

The connection between emotional health and arthritis pain flare-ups seems to be particularly strong in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Depression and stress are very common with RA, and persistent stress and chronic depression make arthritis pain and other symptoms even worse.

The good news is that stress management techniques and treatment for depression can also help you to manage your arthritis pain.

Boosting Emotional Health to Manage Arthritis Pain
At times you may feel hopeless or in despair over your arthritis. You can learn to manage your pain, but first you need to give your emotional health a boost. Start with these stress-busting recommendations:

• Relax. Easier said than done, right? Well, not if you know how. Treat yourself to some quiet time that is completely stress-free — don't think about what you should be doing, your health, or anything that will cause anxiety. Instead, focus completely on an activity you enjoy, even if it’s only for 15 minutes.
• Breathe. Practice simple deep-breathing techniques. Try breathing in and out deeply and slowly, letting every muscle in your body relax. Think calm, peaceful thoughts.
• Get some exercise. Moving, even in a limited way, will help your mind and body feel better, and you'll feel a sense of accomplishment from getting up and being active.
• Soak in a hot bath. Not only is this technique great for your arthritis pain, but it's great for your spirits, too. A nice soak in a bubbly tub is relaxing and luxurious, and can give your spirits a lift. Enhance the relaxation factor with some candles and soothing music while you soak.
• Talk it out. Having arthritis is nothing to be ashamed of, and bottling up your feelings will only make them seem worse. Talk to friends, family, or members of a support group about what you're experiencing physically and emotionally — sometimes all you need to do is let your feelings out to feel better about them.

Ask Your Doctor for Help With Emotional Issues

It's important to understand that feeling over-stressed or anxious about the state of your health is not uncommon when you're managing a chronic illness. Not only does arthritis cause you significant pain, but it can also rob you of the one vital thing — your independence. Not being able to get into your car and do your own shopping, clean your house, go for a walk, or even tie your shoes can be frightening, frustrating, and downright depressing.

If you feel overwhelmed, it’s time to talk to your medical team about your emotional well-being. Treating your emotional health is part of their job, too, and because it is so often affected by arthritis, they have the experience you need. Just as your arthritis pain can be treated, so can anxiety and depression.

Arthritis can be a challenging disease to live with, but taking the right steps to boost your emotional health may help improve your physical pain as well.