A chronic illness is a long-term health condition that usually lasts for three months or more. This condition can gradually worsen over time. People living with chronic illnesses have a higher risk of developing mental disorders.

 

The most common types of chronic illness include diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, cancer, and stroke. In general, a chronic illness has the following characteristics:

• Complex causes

• Multiple risk factors

• A long gap between the onset of the illness and when symptoms are experienced

• A long duration of illness

• An impact on function, leading to impairment or disability

Most chronic illnesses do not improve on their own. Treatment is usually aimed at controlling the symptoms and preventing complications, not always at completely curing the condition.

 

According to Airlangga University, people with severe physical illnesses are about twice as likely to experience mental disorders compared to the general population. It is estimated that 20% to 40% of all inpatients and outpatients in hospitals have mental health problems.

Many studies have shown a close relationship between chronic illness and emotional or mental disorders. The risk of developing mental disorders is higher in people with the following characteristics:

• Having a family history of mental disorders

• Female

• Active smokers

• Consuming alcohol

• Low educational status

• Unemployment

• Being widowed, divorced, or separated

• Older adults, especially over 55 years old

Living with chronic illnesses can lead to withdrawal, low self-esteem, stigma, and discrimination. You may feel tired, frustrated, worried, or stressed, especially when the treatments do not seem to bring much improvement.

With this constant emotional burden, your risk of developing mental health problems such as depression or anxiety becomes higher. The following strategies can help prevent these problems from progressing into more serious mental disorders:

 

Having people around you who are willing to listen and support you can be very helpful when you are dealing with chronic illnesses. Look for friends or family members that understand your condition and will be ready to accompany you through difficult times.

 

A healthy diet can help prevent your symptoms from getting worse. Make sure you eat nutritious foods and limit high-calorie options, especially those with high sugar or fat contents.

 

Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to help manage chronic illness. Regular exercises can relieve symptoms such as back pain and fatigue. Choose activities that match your abilities and remember to rest between exercise sessions.

 

Managing stress is very important when you are living with a chronic illness. Uncontrolled stress can cause your physical and emotional symptoms to worsen, so try to find healthy ways to cope, such as relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, hobbies, or counseling.

 

Even if it feels like your treatments are not giving dramatic results, do not postpone or stop the treatments recommended by your doctor. Remember that treatments often aim to control symptoms and slow down disease progression. The benefits may not always be obvious, but consistent treatments can prevent your condition from becoming more severe.

In conclusion, chronic illnesses can significantly affect a person’s overall health and quality of life. Therefore, it is important to follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor and adopt a healthy lifestyle to help reduce the risk of developing mental health disorders.

 

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