What is chronic illness?
According to the Mental Health Foundation, more than 15 million people in England have one or more long-term physical health conditions.
Chronic illnesses are long-term health conditions that can affect people in different ways. Such conditions include asthma, endometriosis, diabetes, myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), epilepsy, and arthritis. While some chronic illnesses cannot currently be cured, treatment and support can help people manage their condition and symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Being diagnosed and living with a chronic illness can take its toll emotionally. It can affect many areas of your life, and you may need to adapt aspects of your lifestyle or adjust expectations for the future. Living with the day-to-day impact of a condition can also be difficult, from coping with pain or other symptoms to dealing with stigma and everyday ableism. All of this can, understandably, affect your mental health and emotional wellbeing.
How can chronic illness affect mental health?
According to the Mental Health Foundation, people with long-term physical health conditions are more than twice as likely to develop mental health problems. Some factors that may contribute to this can include:
Getting diagnosed
The journey to diagnosis isn’t always easy. It can take time to get the right diagnosis, and managing medical appointments and tests while coping with symptoms can be tiring and leave you feeling low.
Coping with the diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of a chronic illness can bring a range of emotions. You may feel anger, frustration or sadness, as well as relief at having an explanation for your symptoms or anxiety about what the future may hold. Depending on the condition, you may also need to adjust to living with and managing it long term.
Living with chronic illness
Having a diagnosis can pave the way for treatment and support, but managing a chronic illness day to day can still be difficult. You may experience ongoing pain or other symptoms, as well as changes to your emotional wellbeing. Depression and anxiety are among the mental health problems people may experience, but support is available.
I was meeting people in person who understood how I felt and were going through similar things to me. That was another big boost to my mental health, as it stopped me feeling so alone.
Chronic illness counselling
Speaking to a counsellor can help you understand the emotional impact of chronic illness, helping you cope better mentally. Different types of therapy may be helpful depending on how your condition is affecting you. These can include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
The aim of CBT is to help you understand how the way you think, feel and behave are related. It can help you recognise unhelpful patterns and develop different ways of responding to difficult thoughts, feelings or situations. For those living with chronic illness, CBT may help you develop ways of coping with the emotional impact of your symptoms.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
ACT focuses on how you respond to difficult thoughts, feelings and experiences. It can help you develop a different relationship with these thoughts and feelings, while identifying what matters to you and taking actions that align with your values. For someone living with a chronic illness, this may help them find ways to manage difficult emotions while continuing to engage with the things that are important to them.
Other therapeutic approaches may also be helpful depending on your needs and circumstances. If you’re unsure what would be best for you, it may help to speak to your doctor or a therapist to learn more about each approach. Having a supportive space to talk about how you're feeling can also be helpful.
Talking to someone who knows what it’s like, who ‘gets’ the medication and self-management struggles and who can talk with real understanding, kindness and compassion can prove to be immensely beneficial.
– Claire Kerby, BA (Hons), NCPS Accredited, MBACP(ex), Counselling for chronic health conditions
Finding support
Feeling supported can go a long way in overcoming the isolation you may experience when living with chronic illness. Talking to friends and family about how your chronic illness affects you can help them understand and be in a better position to support you.
You may also benefit from joining a support group, where you can meet and chat with others who live with the same (or similar) conditions. This can be a helpful way to learn how others cope and help you feel more connected to others.
Try reaching out to an organisation that supports people with your condition to learn more about support groups, and don't be afraid to try different ones until you find the right fit. The aim of support groups should be to feel connected and hopeful, so take care to find one that offers this for you.
Self-care is also an important part of managing your wellbeing. Helping you take time for yourself and reduce stress, self-care practices can help you find a slice of calm and relaxation in your day-to-day life. As well as helping your overall wellbeing, self-care can support you as you undergo counselling, helping you make the most of your work here.
If living with a chronic illness is affecting your emotional wellbeing, talking to a counsellor may help. You can browse therapists who offer support with chronic illness.
