Anxiety and Rheumatoid Arthritis: 9 Effective Ways to Cope

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that causes painful inflammation when the immune system attacks healthy cells. It is classified as both a autoimmune disease and a inflammatory disease.

There is a relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and mental healthsince people with RA are at increased risk for conditions such as anxiety Y depression. Additionally, mental health plays a role in RA outcomes and quality of life.

Learn more about anxiety and rheumatoid arthritis and how to cope when they occur together.

Mental health and autoimmune disease

Autoimmune disease is a category of physical health conditions with more than 80 diseases, including:

These are long-term health conditions that cause inflammation and physical damage when the immune system attacks healthy cells. As with a long run (chronic) health condition, people with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases are at increased risk of mental health problems. For example, people with an autoimmune disease have a 45% increased risk of experiencing anxiety or depression.

Chronic RA is overwhelming

Being sick is unpleasant. The symptoms are uncomfortable and often interfere with daily life. Pain Y fatigue it can mean missing out on fun activities and losing time at work, which can translate to less time to spend with friends and family and lower income.

Chronic disease means that the symptoms are long-term, as are the side effects. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, which means it is a lifelong condition. Living with a lifelong condition, especially when symptoms interfere with daily life, can be overwhelming.

Inflammation and Stress

Psychological, physical and environmental stress can activate the brain with a fight or flight response, which involves chemical and physical changes in the body. This can lead to an overactive immune system and long-term inflammation in the body, and stress increases the risk of 75-90% of disease.

Address anxiety with your doctor

Physical and mental health are linked. However, health care providers don’t always address mental health when treating physical health conditions. Although depression and anxiety are more common among people with RA, mood is often not assessed during routine appointments, and these conditions are underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Can anxiety make RA pain worse?

People with anxiety and rheumatoid arthritis together may experience worse pain than people with RA alone. This is in part because the stress response can increase inflammation and tension in the muscles, both of which can intensify pain. Besides, pain tolerances it may be lower among people who have chronic or long-term pain and anxiety at the same time, which means they are more sensitive to the sensation of pain.

Anxiety-provoking triggers in RA patients

People with rheumatoid arthritis face unique challenges that can lead to anxiety. For example, only the symptoms of RA, including pain, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping, can be increased stress levels There are other stressors besides the symptoms that accompany RA.

Here are some things people with RA may face that could lead to anxiety:

• Symptoms: Feeling constantly tired, fatigued or in pain can be extremely unpleasant and interfere with daily life
• financial charges: People with RA can not being able to workor you may miss work due to symptoms and have difficulty earning money or paying for treatment
• medication schedules: Having multiple conditions simultaneously, such as anxiety and RA, increases the chances of taking multiple medications and having to keep track of taking them when needed.

9 Ways to Manage AR Anxiety

Living alone with anxiety or rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult. Facing both at the same time can be even more challenging. However, there are things that can be done to manage both conditions separately and address them together. For example, exercise can help reduce psychological and physical stress simultaneously, which can help with both. painful joints and anxiety

Here are nine tips for managing anxiety due to RA:

• Eat a well-balanced diet
• exercise regularly
• Stick to a regular to sleep calendar
• Stay up to date with medication schedules
• Set goals and follow up
• learn and practice stress relief and relaxation exercises
• Participate in relaxing activities
• Talk to trusted friends and family
• Seek support from a mental health professional

emotional support points

Many people with long-term health problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis, deal with feelings of anger, fear, frustration, and resentment related to their health, symptoms, and how their lives are affected. It is important to connect and talk with others to manage emotions. This may include talking to other people who have RA or similar health conditions.

People with RA may consider the following options for talking about feelings and emotions:

• Friends and family they may be able to provide empathic support, even if they do not have RA or anxiety.
• social media it can serve as a way to connect with others facing the same or similar challenges, but it’s important to make sure the benefits of this option outweigh any potential drawbacks.
• Organizations and foundations, such as the arthritis foundation Y Anxiety and Depression Association of Americaare available to help people with RA, anxiety, and other health conditions
• Therapyalso known as psychotherapy or talk therapyit can be used to treat and help people cope with anxiety and RA, and both conditions together.

Managing anxiety from day to day

People who have rheumatoid arthritis and anxiety tend to have worse outcomes than people who just have RA, including more difficulty taking their medications and lower quality of life, making it more important for them to address their mental health. In addition to treatment and coping options, there are things that can be done to help overcome some of the daily challenges associated with anxiety and RA.

Day-to-day anxiety management options for people with RA include:

• make work arrangements, such as a flexible schedule, the option to work from home, or extra breaks to help meet needs.
• Ask for help with childcare being able to focus on self-care and reduce stress when needed.
• plan for the future and have options available in case changes need to be made to reduce stress or manage symptoms.
• Communicate with friends, family and co-workers so that they are aware of your needs and can better support you.

Resume

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that involves long-term joint pain. People with this medical condition are at increased risk for anxiety, and anxiety can make RA symptoms worse. Although there are unique challenges associated with experiencing RA and anxiety together, there are things that can be done to manage and cope with symptoms to improve outcomes.

A word from Verywell

Facing rheumatoid arthritis and anxiety together can be challenging. If you or someone you know is experiencing these two conditions at the same time, help is available. Contact a health care provider for support, such as a rheumatologist or mental health professional. There are options for treating and coping with both conditions at the same time, such as talk therapy and lifestyle changes.