Is there a corresponding link between RA and mental health issues? I get the sense from some of the reactions of posters that therein lies more than just RA issues.
I think there is!!!
I know with my out of control RA this past fall/winter I fell into what my doc said was a "depressive mood". I take Prozac now for it but considering weaning off of it since my RA is getting in much better condition and I can handle once again the stresses of everyday life and dealing with RA.
I think any chronic disease can cause some sort of depression. Dealing with pain, lifestyle changes, med changes, side effects of meds, and daily life can be very stressful.
Ya think?
Phats
I think dealing with chronic illness and pain, in some people, can lead to a depressive state. However other than that any other presence of mental illness is simply coincidenceIt depends on what you mean by "mental health issues". I agree that chronic illness can cause depression but I don't think it causes what psychologists would classify as a "mental illness" which includes Major Depression Disorder, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, etc. For these forms of mental illness my answer is NO. Mental health issues is a much broader term and it is certainly true that RA or any other chronic illness effects us mentally and emotionally in a very deep way. Mentally, I find that I'm often overly obsessed with my illness and emotionally I do get depressed, fearful, and anxious at times. That is why I believe that effectively dealing with this disease involves a lot more than finding and taking the "right" medications. It is a journey that involves learning new ways to deal with my obsessive thoughts and out of control emotions. By the way, I do think we can help each other on that journey by sharing our experiences and being willing to listen and learn from other points of view.
Alan
Alan, You are always a bright spot here. I appreciate your honesty and courage. And, of course, I am a huge fan of your poetry.
Good to hear from you.
Hugs,
Nini
Depression is a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis as is fatigue & pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is a misnomer as the arthritis is a symptom of an autoimmune disease we call incorrectly rheumatoid arthritis. Another name for this disease would be of enormous help to us all.I know when I am on 15mg of pred or on 5mg of pred for long periods of time without a break from it. I do tend to get a little mental. I seem to get paranoid, and think folks are "out to get me". I have seen it in my posts from way back, and I know that is what it was or it was the increase of inflammation and pain that done it.
Oh and when on painpills... I tend to think folks are serial killers
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