The Lows of the Journey: Navigating Chronic Illness-induced Depression

Living with a chronic illness is a journey marked by continuous ups and downs, and for

me, that journey took a dive into the depths of depression. It all began with my diagnosis—a time consumed by a mix of relief and fear. It was February of my senior year, and when everyone else was picking out prom dresses and celebrating the end of high school, I was in and out of doctors' offices and getting lab tests done every weekend. I was missing out on things I shouldn’t have been missing out on, which struck a lot harder as it had been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began when the same things were taken from the previous year’s seniors. A month later, I had gotten diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, the leading cause of infertility in women. 

At first, I was overwhelmed. On the one hand, I finally had an explanation for the debilitating symptoms I had been experiencing, but on the other hand, the reality of infertility consumed my thoughts. There was relief in knowing that my symptoms were part of a more extensive condition. Yet, the idea of infertility sparked a wave of emotions in the form of worry about my future, anxiety about treatment, and sadness over the possibility of not starting my own family. It felt like my body was betraying me.

As weeks passed, the physical symptoms became constant, draining my energy for the things I once loved and enjoyed. I found myself in a cycle of pain and fatigue, where the smallest of tasks felt difficult. It wasn’t long before the emotional toll became clear. I remember spending days in bed, feeling isolated as the rest of the world was functioning as usual. I felt bad about myself and for myself. My illness was no longer just a medical condition, but something that loomed over every aspect of my life. Where physical ailments intertwine with emotional distress, it is difficult not to be overwhelmed even when there is not an underlying condition. Understanding this connection has been crucial in my life, helping me to find support, practice self-compassion, and regain some enjoyment amidst challenges.

This struggle brings to light the concept of comorbidity, or the coexistence of two or more disorders—in this case, chronic illness and depression. Research has found that having chronic diseases raises the risk of major depressive disorder, with pain being a significant risk factor (Ma et al., 2021). In relation, many people with these comorbidities develop learned helplessness, where they feel powerless to change their situation due to a lack of control, leading to hopelessness and despair. Daily tasks become daunting, and the idea of treatment or making lifestyle changes can feel overwhelming. Cognitive distortions can deepen feelings of learned helplessness, creating a vicious cycle. For example, if someone believes they will never feel better due to their chronic illness, they may be less likely to find support or undergo treatments that could help them. This belief reinforces their sense of powerlessness and contributes to their depression, making it even harder to break free from the cycle.

How can we overcome this? Treating comorbidities should be dealt with using a

comprehensive approach. To treat depression, psychotherapy is usually recommended. Psychotherapy involves identifying and learning how to change specific feelings or behaviors. Pharmaceutical treatments for depression include antidepressants like SSRIs. When we are considering the root of the disease or illness, it may be a situation in which treatments can reduce pain using anti-inflammatories or other health-related prescriptions (Gold et al., 2020).

Aside from specific therapies and medical treatments, it is most important to surround yourself with a supportive and understanding environment of family and friends as well as a network of knowledgeable healthcare professionals. Having someone who recognizes that you are not just lazy but chronically fatigued or feeling unwell is sometimes crucial in shaping your perspective of your condition. The emotional toll of chronic illness can hinder the ability to see solutions or support, pushing further into a cycle of negativity. Recognizing this cycle is crucial for both patients and their support networks. By acknowledging the intricate relationship between chronic illness and depression, we can create more effective strategies for coping.

 

References

Ma, Y., Xiang, Q., Yan, C. et al. Relationship between chronic diseases and depression: the mediating effect of pain. BMC Psychiatry 21, 436 (2021).

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03428-3

Gold, S.M., Köhler-Forsberg, O., Moss-Morris, R. et al. Comorbid depression in medical

diseases. Nat Rev Dis Primers 6, 69 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-020-0200-2