Suffering from a chronic illness like mental health struggles can feel like an invisible battle. When you are suffering from a visible ailment, like a broken bone, others can see your struggles and may often be more empathic. People see you a healthy individual and may question how you could be sick. However, chronic illness and mental health can be impossible to see especially by acquaintances, co-workers, or anyone we may briefly interact with.
It is also possible that the root of your mental health struggles stems from your chronic illness. It can feel like a never-ending cycle. A rough patch in physical health can lead to anxiety and depression. Individuals with chronic illness are sometimes labeled as lazy and dramatic. It can even be a challenge for someone with a chronic ailment to receive a proper diagnosis. It can take years to finally receive a diagnosis after countless appointments, scans, tests, and consults. Regardless of where you are in your journey, still fighting for answers or with a diagnosis, but still dealing with debilitating symptoms, chronic illness is linked to your mental health.
INVISIBLE CHRONIC ILLNESSES ARE REAL ILLNESSES
Chronic illness and mental health problems should both be treated seriously and managed by licensed healthcare professionals. There are ways to manage and treat both. Educate yourself about your illness. Keeping a journal can be a crucial step to finding answers. By documenting symptoms, episodes, or abnormal feelings, you can convert vague ailments into a diagnosis that will lead to successfully managing your illness.
DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE
Some chronic illnesses have overlapping symptoms with mental health struggles like anxiety and depression. Extreme fatigue, withdrawal from friends and family, and decreased performance at school or work can be caused by both conditions. Sometimes it can be impossible to decipher when chronic illness and mental health struggles start and stop.
DIFFICULT TO TREAT
Medicines and alternative treatments are becoming more widely available and covered by insurance. However, anyone with a chronic illness knows medication is often a trial-and-error process. Something may not be effective, or those that work best have negative side effects. Treating mental illness is also not a “one size fits all” approach. Medicinal treatments can take time and finding a therapist can also be challenging.
FINDING SUPPORT
Unlike the flu or an appendectomy, treatment of chronic illness and mental health spans a lifetime. With proper medical care and therapy, individuals suffering from these conditions live extremely successful and fulfilling lives. Finding a support group, therapist, or local community will help you continue to heal. Many mentors working with individuals struggling with chronic and/or mental health conditions are patients themselves. There are also several online groups or forums you can join. By finding others on the same journey, you will feel less alone.
ADVOCACY
Suffering from an invisible illness may make you feel that you have something to prove to others. You don’t. Fight for your rights and needs. Get a second opinion if your doctor isn’t listening. Talk to a therapist about trying a different approach. Advocate for your health. If something isn’t helping, speak up. Learning how to advocate for yourself can be intimidating. Seeing a therapist can help to build up your confidence and encourage you.
The diagnosis may sound scary and overwhelming, but do not let it define you. It isn’t fair, and it isn’t fun, but you can take charge of your health with the right tools and support. If you need someone to talk to during a difficult diagnosis, our therapists at Renewed Wellness Consulting are here to be advocates and provide support on your journey to health.
