Along with the wide array of physical symptoms including pain, swelling, and inflammation, arthritis can affect your mental health in an adverse way too. People suffering from arthritis are found to experience various mental health issues including stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, studies reveal that problems like stress and depression can increase the intensity of your arthritis symptoms thereby making your condition worse. So both arthritis and mental health issues can lead to the progress of the other.
Having arthritis can increase your risk of developing various mental health issues. Therefore, we analyze the relationship between arthritis and mental disorders.
Anxiety And Depression
People suffering from arthritis are highly prone to developing conditions like anxiety and depression. Anxiety involves feelings of tension, irritability, and worry along with various physical changes including increased heart rate and high blood pressure.
Depression is a condition characterized by problems like anxiety, lack of energy, weight gain or loss, inability to concentrate, excessive sleeping or sleeplessness, a lack of interest in everyday routines, etc.
The severe and persistent symptoms resulting from arthritis can make people anxious and depressed. Also, mental health issues including anxiety can result in the release of certain hormones that can make your arthritis symptoms worse. These conditions can also increase the levels of inflammation which can contribute to the progress of arthritis and its symptoms.
Arthritis Pain And Depression
Chronic pain caused by arthritis is one of the major contributing factors to the development of depression. Intense pain in your joints can make it difficult for you to move the affected joints. This can limit your freedom to move. Therefore, people suffering from arthritis may not be able to engage in various activities they love. Additionally, the pain may make it difficult for them to participate in social gatherings or public events. All these issues can lead to depression in arthritis patients.
Also, living with pain is emotionally and physically stressful and it can also change the levels of certain chemicals in the brain and nervous system. This can also lead to depression and other mental health issues in people with arthritis.
Inflammation And Depression
Inflammation associated with arthritis can increase the levels of some markers of inflammation like C-reactive protein. These chemicals can also contribute to the development of depression.
So if you are suffering from arthritis, it is important for you to take great care to prevent conditions like anxiety and depression, as they can make your condition worse.
