Depression and Chronic Illnesses

When you have a chronic illness, so many aspects of your life change. You may have to suddenly give up some of your hopes and dreams. You may have to change your lifestyle. You may lose friends and even relationships over it. You can’t always do the things you were once able to do. Maybe you used to be a very active person and always on the go. That will change. Maybe you were a social butterfly, always off at parties and other social events. That will change.

Before you know it, those nights on the town will turn into nights with early bedtimes. Those days hanging out with your friends will turn into days of pain and exhaustion. Your life has changed, and not for the better. You wonder what has happened to your life. You wonder what you did to deserve such a thing. You see others doing everyday things, and you get jealous. You long to be able to be “normal” and do what everyone else does. People will say you are lucky that you don’t have to work, or that you can take naps. You don’t feel lucky though. No one realizes how much you want to tell them that THEY are the lucky ones.

You feel isolated and alone. So many people won’t understand. They’ll tell you that it’s all in your head, or that you are simply over-exaggerating. They will tell you it’s caused by stress. They will compare your illness to someone else they have seen, and say something along the lines of “If they can do it, why can’t you?” They don’t realize that each illness/condition is different, and that even within the same illness, everyone is different. And because a lot of these illnesses are invisible, some people just won’t believe you at all.

Some of these conditions can lead to depression, or depression can be a co-existing condition. Either way, it is a very common part of chronic illnesses. Losing out on the life we once lived, losing friendships, being in endless pain; how can we not feel depressed? Being isolated in our own homes, sometimes even our bed, for days while we recover from over exerting ourselves is enough to make anyone depressed. Some of the medications we take can also affect our mental health. Whatever it is chemical or situational, depression becomes a huge part of our lives as well.

So what can you do? Reach out. Talk to a professional and get the help you need. Talk to friends who truly care and who at least try to understand what you are going through. Find support in others who have chronic illnesses and/or depression. Even if it’s not face-to-face, it’s amazing what support can do for you. Educate your family and friends on what you are going through. Some do want to understand, they just don’t. Explain to them the best you can. On the days you are able, get out of the house. Find things that you enjoy and are able to do. Pamper yourself. Do small things for yourself daily. Most importantly, take care of yourself, including both your physical health and your mental health.

Much Love,
Sarah