Low mood and depression are among the most common disorders among patients with chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. There is a vicious cycle between pain and illness of rheumatoid arthritis.
This means that the more difficult it is to perform routine tasks due to the disorder, pain, and dryness of your joints, the greater will be the reduction in your mood and depression and the more depressed you are, the more pain, discomfort, and discomfort you will experience
So if your RA disease has reduced your enjoyment of life or you no longer enjoy doing something or anything, be aware that you are at risk for depression.
Doctors advise that if you experience depression and low mood, be sure to see a doctor for timely and correct management. Otherwise, the annoying symptoms and pain of rheumatoid arthritis will increase.
what you will read next :
Why do rheumatoid arthritis and depression go together?
Rheumatoid arthritis can reduce your mood and depression for a number of reasons:
- Pain in rheumatoid arthritis can cause depression:
Pain is a painful and unbearable factor in the body. We say that too much pain is a stress for the body. In the face of stress, the body raises stress hormone levels to cope with stress, and this can lead to mood swings and anxiety.
The more pain and the more tolerance your body has, the more severe your depression and anxiety and overall mood disorders will be.
- Depression is common in chronic diseases:
When an illness is going to stay with you for the rest of your life and you need to be constantly monitored and treated. And even in the asymptomatic or remission phase, you should continue appropriate maintenance therapy. On the other hand, the continuation of follow-up sessions and possible examinations to prevent the onset of symptoms and worry about the patient’s outlook are all stressful and worrying conditions that will lead to depression.
- Inflammation itself can cause mental changes:
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly considers its own cells to be foreign and destroys them. This fight and destruction is always accompanied by inflammation. During the process of activating the immune system to destroy the body, several chemicals will be produced in the path of inflammation, these substances themselves can be very strong triggers for the onset of depression and mental changes.
- Rheumatoid arthritis physical ailments that interfere with your life can make you more prone to depression:
Morning sickness, joint pain and boredom caused by RA, deformed joints, etc. make daily activities and your job difficult, you may not be able to take care of your family and take care of the people you love like before. All these problems will lead you to depression
How to control and treat depression in rheumatoid arthritis?
- Tell your doctor:
The first step in managing depression in rheumatoid arthritis is to let your doctor know at the first sign of mood swings. Your doctor may ask your psychiatrist for help with your treatment or refer you to a mental health specialist to continue your treatment with him or her.
- Follow your treatment:
Be sure to see a psychiatrist or mental health specialist recommended by your doctor and provide an accurate history of your mood, sleep quality, etc., you may be prescribed medication or cognitive behavior therapy sessions, be sure to follow the instructions provided. And take medications regularly
- Find support groups that fit your needs and join them:
Meet other people with RA who are in the same situation as you and are in your city or state. You can also form similar groups online. These support groups can greatly improve your mood.
- Always keep your rheumatoid arthritis under the control of your doctor:
Do not forget to see your doctor regularly, follow your doctor’s medication and advice carefully to control your rheumatoid arthritis. Your mood will improve when the pain, discomfort, and boredom caused by your inflammatory inflammation are controlled.
- Eat a healthy diet:
Eating healthy and unprocessed foods, limiting the consumption of sweets and cakes and sugar and snacks and fast food, is necessary to have a healthy and healthy mood, fish rich in omega-3s such as salmon, walnuts and flaxseed, both protects your cardiovascular system, reduces inflammation, and is very good for improving your mood.
- Take Depression Recognition and Management seriously:
Do not confuse depression with feeling a little blue
Symptoms of depression
Depression is a medical disorder with obvious symptoms:
- feel guilty
- Being irritable and crying easily
- Anger
- Unmotivated
- hopelessness
- Fatigue
- Appetite changes
- Forgetful or foggy
- Tendency to die and suicidal thoughts
Body pain, headache, etc. are also common symptoms of depression that may overlap with the clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.