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What is a chronic illness/disease?
A condition that requires medical attention and/or restricts a person’s life daily and lasts at least one year is considered a chronic illness/disease.1 The most common of these in the United States include but are not limited to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Out of all the health conditions in the United States, chronic illnesses/diseases are the most prevalent, costly, and responsible for seven out of ten deaths in the United States. 2
Chronic illnesses/diseases can be a result of risk factors such as age, family history, substance use, poor eating habits, environmental status, and more.3
Chronic illnesses/diseases include:
• Alzheimer’s
• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart Disease
• Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS)
• Lung Conditions
• Obesity
• Osteoporosis
• Parkinson’s
• Stroke
• Traumatic Brain Injury
What does chronic illness/disease have to do with anxiety and depression?
Because of the nature of chronic illnesses/diseases, whether it be increased hospitalization, excessive worry, or hormonal changes, having a chronic illness/disease increases the likelihood of developing a mental illness. 4
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is prevalent in 51% of Parkinson’s patients, 42% of cancer patients, 27% of Diabetes patients, 23% of cerebrovascular patients, 17% of cardiovascular patients, and 11% of Alzheimer’s patients.5 Not only does chronic illness/disease increase the chances of having a mental illness, but people experiencing depression are more likely to have other medical conditions.6
For those with chronic illness/disease(s), if you think you have anxiety and/or depression, it is important to contact your primary health provider for details on diagnosing and treatment.
If your child has a chronic illness, they are likely encountering more challenges physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively than their peers. Like adults, children with chronic illnesses may have anxiety, depression, or a related disorder. Parents should be mindful of this and contact their child’s health care provider if they notice any signs of depression, anxiety, or a related disorder.7
Financial Assistance: Learn how you can get help paying for your chronic disease copays
- HealthWell Foundation is a national non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to insured Americans living with chronic or life-altering conditions.
- CancerCare - helps people with cancer overcome financial access and treatment barriers by assisting them with co-payments for their prescribed treatments..
- NeedyMeds - connects people to programs that will help them afford their medications and other healthcare costs.
ADAA Resources:
Chronic Illness/Disease - General
- Mindfulness for Sickness and Pain - Blog
- Living with Chronic Illness - Blog
- Chronic Pain - Webpage
- Serious, Chronic, or Terminal Illnesses - Tips for Patients and Caregivers - Webpage
- Top Risk Factor for Mental Disorders Identified - Article
- Stress: On the Verge of a Health Crisis - Article
- Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help with Neurological Disorders? - Webinar
- Treating the Psychological and the Physical: Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Neurological Disorders - Blog
- True Survivors - Webpage
- Integrative Behavioral Health SIG- Webpage
- Coping With the Stress of Caregiving - Article
Fibromyalgia
- Fibromyalgia - Webpage
Older Adults and Dementia
- Older Adults - Webpage
- Mental Illness Among Older Adults - Webinar
- Is Anxiety a Risk Factor for Dementia Later in Life? - Article
- How OCD Can Manifest in Dementia – Blog
- Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder Older Adults - Webpage
Heart Disease
Obesity
- CBT for Weight Control - Blog
- Can Obesity Cause Depression? - Article
Resources &Trending Articles:
- Talk therapy may help people with dementia manage depression, anxiety symptoms, Medical News Today
- Identifying Depression in Patients with Chronic Disease, Psychology Today
- Co-Occurring: Mental Health And Chronic Illness, mhanational.org
- Depression Is Often Overlooked in Cancer Patients, Everyday Health
References:
1 National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP). (2021, April 28). About Chronic Diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/index.htm
2 Raghupathi, W., & Raghupathi, V. (2018). An Empirical Study of Chronic Diseases in the United States: A Visual Analytics Approach. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(3), 431. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15030431
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012, October). Mental Health and Chronic Diseases[Infographic]. https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/tools-resources/pdfs/ issue-brief-no-2-mental-health-and-chronic-disease.pdf
4 Mental Health America. (n.d.). Infographic: Chronic Health Conditions And Mental Health. https://mhanational.org/infographic-chronic-health-conditions-and-mental-health
5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012, October). Mental Health and Chronic Diseases[Infographic]. https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/tools-resources/pdfs/issue-brief-no-2-mental-health-and-chronic-disease.pdf
6 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Chronic Illness and Mental Health Recognizing and Treating Depression[Infographic]. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/chronic-illness-mental-health/21-mh-8015-chronicillness-mentalhealth_151898.pdf
7U.S Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Chronic Illness and Mental Health Recognizing and Treating Depression[Infographic]. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/chronic-illness-mental-health/21-mh-8015-chronicillness-mentalhealth_151898.pdf
The content of this page was published in July, 2021.
