What is the connection between arthritis and mental health conditions? Discover the common symptoms, risk factors, and how healthcare providers can address both physical and mental health in arthritis patients.

The Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Arthritis Patients

Arthritis is a common chronic condition that affects millions of adults in the United States. Recent research has revealed a significant connection between arthritis and mental health conditions, particularly anxiety and depression. According to a 2018 CDC analysis, over 10 million adults with arthritis report experiencing symptoms of either anxiety or depression.

The prevalence of these mental health issues is strikingly higher among arthritis patients compared to the general population. One in five adults with arthritis have anxiety symptoms, while depression symptoms are more than twice as common in those with arthritis (12.1%) compared to those without (4.7%).

Understanding the Arthritis-Mental Health Link

The connection between arthritis and mental health conditions is a complex and multifaceted one. Chronic pain, disability, and the challenges of managing a long-term health condition can all contribute to the development of anxiety and depression in individuals with arthritis.

Anxiety, in particular, is often perceived as a normal response to the difficulties associated with living with arthritis. However, if left untreated, anxiety can lead to more severe mental health problems, including depression. The interplay between physical and mental health can create a vicious cycle, where poor mental health exacerbates arthritis symptoms and vice versa.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

It is crucial for healthcare providers and patients to be aware of the common symptoms of anxiety and depression in the context of arthritis. Some of the key symptoms of anxiety include:

• Worry or irritability
• Restlessness and racing thoughts
• Trouble focusing
• Sleep disturbances
• Physical symptoms like muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, and digestive issues

Similarly, common symptoms of depression include:

• Sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Lack of interest in hobbies and activities
• Fatigue and low energy
• Changes in appetite and weight
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Physical symptoms like aches, pains, and digestive problems

Strategies for Addressing Mental Health in Arthritis Patients

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in addressing the mental health needs of their arthritis patients. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends regular screening for depression, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration encourages universal screening for both anxiety and depression.

When treating mental health conditions in arthritis patients, it is essential to take a comprehensive approach that addresses both physical and mental health. This may include referring patients to evidence-based self-management education programs, such as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), where they can learn strategies to manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being.

The Benefits of Integrated Treatment

Integrating mental health care into the management of arthritis has been shown to have numerous benefits. Improving mental health can lead to a reduction in pain, independent of other pain management strategies. It can also enhance patients’ ability and motivation to properly care for themselves and manage their daily lives, which can in turn improve their arthritis symptoms and overall quality of life.

By addressing the mental health needs of arthritis patients, healthcare providers can empower them to take a more holistic approach to managing their condition and improving their overall health and well-being.

The Importance of Early Intervention

Given the high prevalence of anxiety and depression among adults with arthritis, it is crucial for healthcare providers to be proactive in screening and addressing these mental health issues. Early intervention can prevent the development of more severe mental health problems and improve the overall management of the patient’s arthritis.

Particularly for younger adults with arthritis, who are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, prompt attention to mental health can make a significant difference in their quality of life and long-term outcomes.

Conclusion

The connection between arthritis and mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, is a significant and often overlooked aspect of this chronic condition. By understanding the prevalence and symptoms of these mental health issues, and integrating comprehensive treatment strategies that address both physical and mental well-being, healthcare providers can empower their arthritis patients to achieve optimal health and quality of life.

The Arthritis-Mental Health Connection | CDC

Many adults with arthritis have anxiety and depression. Learn how arthritis and mental health are connected.

Learn about programs that can improve mood and well-being, and ease arthritis symptoms.

About 1 in 5 US adults with arthritis has symptoms of anxiety or depression. These symptoms are more common in adults with arthritis who are women, younger, identify as LGBT+, have chronic pain or other co-occurring chronic conditions, or are disabled, unemployed, or otherwise unable to work.

Because anxiety is often perceived as normal, people don’t always seek mental health services for it. Left untreated, anxiety can lead to greater problems. In fact, chronic anxiety can increase someone’s risk of developing depression.

Arthritis, anxiety, and depression can each have negative effects on overall health and quality of life. Feelings of sadness or worry can interfere with a person’s ability and motivation to care for themselves properly and manage daily life, let alone manage their arthritis or other health conditions. That’s why it’s important for people who have arthritis to take care of their mental health symptoms as well as their arthritis symptoms.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or know someone who is,

Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
• Use the online Lifeline Crisis Chatexternal icon

Both are free and confidential. You’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area.

For more information, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifelineexternal icon.

Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

Some common symptoms of anxietyexternal icon are:

• Worry or irritability.
• Restlessness (unable to stay still or stop racing thoughts).
• Trouble focusing.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause or that do not ease with treatment.

Some common symptoms of depressionexternal icon are:

• Sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness.
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
• Lack of interest in hobbies and activities.
• Fatigue, or lack of energy.
• Appetite and/or weight changes.
• Thoughts of death or suicide.
• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause or that do not ease with treatment.

It is important to seek treatment when symptoms of anxiety or depression appear. Health care providers can treat or refer patients with arthritis experiencing these symptoms to mental health professionals and community resources. Some of these resources, such as evidence-based self-management education and physical activity programs, may even address mental health and arthritis together. Self-management education workshops teach skills to help people cope with symptoms like pain, reduce stress, and make healthy lifestyle choices. Physical activity can lead to benefits such as reduced arthritis pain, increased mobility, and improved mood.

Self-Management Education Workshops

Self-management education workshops like the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) have many benefits, including long-term reduction in depressive symptoms. CDSMP teaches people how to manage their chronic conditions, including arthritis. Learn more by visiting the CDC Arthritis Program’s Lifestyle Management Programs’ webpage.

Guidance for Health Care Providers

Over 58 million US adults have arthritis. About 10 million adults with arthritis report either anxiety or depression symptoms, according to a 2018 CDC analysis. These symptoms were more common among adults aged 18 to 44 than older adults. One in five adults with arthritis had anxiety symptoms, compared to about one in nine adults without arthritis. Depression symptoms were more than twice as common among adults with arthritis as those without arthritis (12. 1% vs. 4.7%).

Not only are symptoms of anxiety and depression common among US adults with arthritis, these symptoms have also been associated with reduced response to arthritis treatment and poorer quality of life. Improving mental health can even reduce pain, independent of other pain management strategies. Health care providers can empower patients to improve their mental health and manage their arthritis in two ways:

• Ask your arthritis patients about depression and anxiety. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends depression screeningexternal icon for all adults. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration encourages universal screening for both anxiety and depression.
• Offer treatment and/or referrals to services. When treating mental health conditions in your arthritis patients, encourage strategies that address both physical and mental health. Refer patients to self-management education workshops, where they can learn proven ways to manage symptoms, reduce stress, and take medicines the right way. Also encourage patients to be physically active, on their own or by taking part in a structured, arthritis-appropriate physical activity program. Research shows that self-management education and physical activity can help improve mood, increase energy, and/or reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and arthritis.

what you can do about it

06 September 2021

It’s tough living with regular pain and fatigue. It can affect work, relationships and many of the things that matter most to you.

Learn more about the positive steps you can take to help stave off or treat anxiety and depression.

Talking to someone you trust can make a big difference

Whether it’s to a relative, friend, partner or healthcare professional, never be afraid to open up about how you’re feeling.

There are lots of professionals to help you through the tough times, this could be your local GP or someone at Samaritans, Anxiety UK or Mind. If you think you need it, asking for help could be the most important thing you do today.

Read more about relationships and how to strike a healthy balance.

Don’t let stress build up

Let’s face it, stress is pretty unavoidable in hectic lives. Add arthritis to the mix of potential worries such as money, work and relationships, and stress is bound to rear its ugly head from time to time.

It’s important to know what really puts pressure on you. Think about ways to avoid those situations occurring in the first place, and the best ways of dealing with them if they do. Here’s a good page on Mind’s website about stress.

Getting your arthritis treated will help your mental health

Pain can add to feelings of anxiety and depression. And there’s evidence that high levels of inflammation will increase the amount of chemicals in your blood that make depression more likely and more serious.

If you’re experiencing flares, see your rheumatology consultant or nurse and don’t understate your symptoms to them. If you’re not fine, don’t say you are.

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biological therapies can reduce inflammation and pain. If you have psoriatic arthritis, some of these drugs can help both your joints and skin.

Psoriasis can add to feelings of depression, anxiety and isolation. If you’re struggling, talk to your GP or dermatologist. There are good treatment options for psoriasis and support is available.

Find out how meditation and mindfulness might help you with your mental health

Exercise to release those natural, feel-good chemicals

Regular exercise can help with anxiety and depression. Aerobic exercise, which is anything that makes you at least a bit out of breath, is particularly beneficial. This releases chemicals around the body that are natural painkillers and can lift your mood.

Exercise is also good for self-confidence and self-esteem. It’s not always easy but starting off gently and gradually increasing the amount you do can lead to great results.

To help you manage your pain, medical experts have come together to produce these self-management resources to give you robust advice and exercises to help support you at home.

These are supported by NHS England and Improvement, The British Orthopaedic Association, The British Society of Rheumatology, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Versus Arthritis and the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance.

Get out there and get some vitamin D

The ‘sunshine vitamin’ is good for bone and joint health, and it can help with depression.

On spring and summer days, getting 15 minutes of warm sun on bare skin, such as arms, legs and face will give you your daily dose.

Public Health England says we all need to take daily vitamin D supplements in the autumn and winter. Some people may need supplements all year round.

We’re here for you

• If you would like to talk to someone, you can call our free helpline on 0800 5200 520.
• Chat to our Arthritis Virtual Assistant.
• Join our online community.
• Stay in touch and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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• Wellbeing
• Advice and tips

Rheumatologist Evgeny Nasonov: Depression can be manifested by pain in the joints 3

Society

04/06/2017 20:25

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Academician Yevgeny Nasonov: You can’t save a person from depression and pain on TV

Irina Krasnopolskaya

April 7 is World Health Day. This year he has an unusual motto: “Depression: let’s talk.” And we decided to talk with the chief rheumatologist of the Russian Ministry of Health, Academician Yevgeny Nasonov.

Evgeny Lvovich, it’s just that they say that all diseases are caused by nerves. Increasingly, they are from the fact that people completely lose the opportunity to communicate?

Evgeny Nasonov: The main manifestation of rheumatic diseases is chronic pain in the joints. And it is almost impossible to find examples of chronic pain that would not lead to depression. On the other hand, we know that depression itself can manifest itself as pain in the joints, muscles, and ligaments. And that means that it is unrealistic to cure pain without affecting depression. Therefore, not only a super-powerful medicine is extremely important, but also the interaction between the doctor and the patient. The patient’s trust in the doctor works wonders, it allows not only to reduce pain, but also to relieve depression.

It is easy for you to speak from the height of your academic status. And what about a colleague who conducts an appointment at the clinic? And he only has 10-15 minutes per patient.

Evgeny Nasonov: I think that this is the biggest problem now, not only in Russia, but all over the world. The principle rules: we are in a hurry to live, and we are in a hurry to feel. And this is dangerous. There is an expression: a drug will never help a patient if the patient does not want to use it. This is due both to the patient’s depression and to the lack of obtaining the necessary information about the disease and drug treatment from the attending physician, who simply does not have time for such education.

Depression can be manifested by pain in the joints, muscles, ligaments. And it is unrealistic to cure pain without affecting depression

But there is the Internet, there are gadgets, there is a desire to introduce telemedicine at all levels of healing. And, let’s say, a patient from a distant province does not need to strive for the metropolitan “luminary” – it is enough to see him on a TV or computer screen and get a consultation…

Evgeniy Nasonov: I am by no means against telemedicine! Moreover, our Valentina Nasonova Institute of Rheumatology, together with the Bakulev Center for Cardiovascular Surgery, started the development of telemedicine in Russia. This improved the situation in the training of medical personnel, in the diagnosis of complex cases, in the choice of optimal treatment, etc. Telemedicine needs to be developed further. Because there are new technical possibilities. But there has always been and always will be the main figure in healing the doctor, communication with him. No technology is a substitute. You can’t save a person from depression, from pain on TV.

Rheumatic diseases rank third or fourth among the causes of disability. Second only to heart disease, cancer, and trauma. And in terms of pain, they, in my opinion, surpass everything?

Evgeny Nasonov: The most common pain is in the back. Almost every person in the world suffers from them. And also pain in the knee joint – every second after 70 years suffers from them. Gout is the lot of middle-aged men. Women suffer less from it. Gout is an example of such acute, excruciating pains that even toothache, the pain of a cancer patient in the last stage, goes into the background.

And how to deal with it? Do you advocate the use of narcotic drugs, as for cancer patients?

Evgeny Nasonov: No way! There is such a thing: inflammatory pain. With them, drugs are ineffective. Medications that relieve inflammation help.

Are they available to everyone? Are their prices reasonable for the average patient?

Evgeny Nasonov: You will be surprised, but the answer is yes. Why are there so many sufferers? One must be able to distinguish the pain associated with metastases, in which there is no alternative to drugs. And pain associated with inflammation, for which anti-inflammatory drugs are more effective.

So why are there so many rheumatic diseases? Why aren’t they getting smaller? Why is pain not relieved in those who have already been diagnosed? What’s the matter?

Evgeny Nasonov: There are more rheumatic diseases because people are living longer. That is, they live up to their pain. And the organization of medical care should take this into account. And one more thing – this is also the fault of civilization – people now have more opportunities not only to eat deliciously, but, what is most distressing, to eat a lot. Excess weight is one of the ways of developing rheumatic diseases. And there are no effective, reliable ways to combat the same obesity. There are calls about what you can eat, when you can eat, what should be discarded. All of them are correct. But… The most difficult thing is to change the mentality of a person.

This World Health Day will also see relay races, active promotion of a healthy lifestyle, good lectures. .. And at the end of the day, their participants will gather at the laid table, pay tribute to the work of the hostess, overturn a glass or two for health. Already then they can stand on the scales, horrified by the numbers. Make a vow: eat less. Refuse alcohol. Maybe they will remember that a cake eaten is one minute of pleasure in the mouth, but extra pounds in the hips all their life.

And, stating this fact, many fall into the same depression. So, it’s time for us to talk about rheumatoid arthritis, since it is not only the hallmark of modern rheumatology, but also a common cause of depression.

Evgeny Nasonov: Rheumatoid arthritis is not only one of the most common chronic diseases, but also a unique model for studying the role of inflammation in various diseases, including depression. First, it shortens life. Secondly, it often leads to the development of myocardial infarction, stroke, and even cancer. The person loses his ability to work. It may be necessary to replace damaged joints. Of course, now there are completely different possibilities for the treatment of these diseases. For example, joint prosthetics are no longer uncommon. It is held in all regions of the country. Prostheses, however, are mostly imported. But they are affordable. Most often, prosthetics are included in the CHI program. And where this is not the case, the costs are covered by the regional budget. Unfortunately, even unique drugs do not always relieve a person from rheumatoid arthritis. Only with timely access to the right doctor. In other cases, they help to avoid early disability.

You said “to the right doctor”. To a rheumatologist?

Evgeny Nasonov: Rheumatoid arthritis should be treated only by a rheumatologist.

You are the chief rheumatologist of the Russian Federation, therefore I will ask: is there a rheumatologist in all polyclinics? In all regions? In all villages and villages?

Evgeny Nasonov: To clarify: I am not only the chief rheumatologist of the Ministry of Health of Russia, but also the president of a public organization – the Association of Rheumatologists of Russia. And both of these organizations are committed to making rheumatology care accessible. But there are still not enough rheumatologists in the country. This is our misfortune, our pain, against which modern medicines, alas, are powerless.

And events like your next congress, which will take place at the end of April and is dedicated to ensuring that therapists, who are the basis of polyclinic care, have knowledge in the field of rheumatology, is aimed at solving this problem?

Evgeny Nasonov: Of course! It is most important. Because tomorrow the required number of rheumatologists will not appear. With narrow specialists, the situation in health care is not the best. But it is possible to train therapists at least the basics of rheumatology.

An interesting study was recently conducted: scientists found that the most crying children are in the UK, Italy, Canada and the Netherlands. And the calmest ones are in Denmark, Germany and Japan. We found out how much and at what age a child can cry.

Evgeniy Nasonov: Research, one might say, just within the current World Health Day. Yes, babies cry. Because something hurts them, most often colic in the tummy. And it is known that a mother’s or grandmother’s song is able to calm the baby. He stops crying. Did he have depression? Have you spoken to him? Could be so. The doctor should be like the same mother, he should be able to talk with the patient in order to relieve pain and relieve depression.

You work in an institution that bears the name of your mother, Valentina Aleksandrovna Nasonova. It is very important that there are dynasties of doctors. Probably, you simply had no other choice but to devote yourself to medicine. Although you came to the institute named after your mother when you were already a corresponding member of the academy. You have been a doctor all your life. Do you follow your favorite Confucian saying: “Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life”? However, in addition to work, you are also collecting aphorisms, quotes. ..

Evgeny Nasonov: I am even preparing a book. I have been collecting material for it for over 50 years. In my opinion, everyone should have their own hobby. This, believe me, saves from many diseases. From depression as well. You don’t always want to talk about work. And to talk, as the motto of this Health Day suggests, is necessary.

Rossiyskaya gazeta – Federal issue: No. 74(7240)

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HealthInterview with Irina Krasnopolskaya

Joint pain, muscle stiffness, bad mood, sagging face, depression and many more from this list. WHAT TO DO?

It is no secret that the way and conditions of human life on Earth have changed over the past decades. Some indicators of the maximum permissible concentrations of harmful substances in food and water have been replaced by higher ones, since there are no products with those that previously existed. Naturally, our body experiences a fairly high toxicological load when most of the harmful substances accumulate in it, and a sedentary lifestyle, plus bad habits, constant stress only aggravate this. The accumulation of harmful trace elements in tissues provokes the growth of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and the load on the excretory systems of the body increases. All this provokes premature aging. How to protect yourself from the sad fate of early old age?

Most studies indicate that the biochemical factors of aging correlate with overweight or obesity, depression, alcoholism and a number of other bad habits, unfavorable working and living conditions of the population. In addition, scientists have found that DNA hypermethylation, which is one of the markers of aging, is also associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and excessive alcohol consumption. At the same time, if these factors are total (for example, stress causes obesity and vice versa), then the aging process grows like an avalanche.

What are the steps to restore health and prolong longevity?

In different countries and cultures, there are many traditions and secrets of maintaining health and longevity, thanks to which people live to be 100 or more years old. An interesting study that tells about the lifestyle of centenarians in several parts of our planet was conducted by Dan Buettner, a traveler, explorer and writer. In his book, he talks about four “blue zones” located on the islands of Japan, Italy, a peninsula in Costa Rica and in a small town in the United States. The author calls the “Blue Zone” an area where the average life expectancy of people is higher than usual, and people there live to the centenary about three times more often. Combining the “recipes” for longevity received from different parts of the world, we can single out several tips that are natural for all places. Long-livers of the “blue zones” are advised to include more plant foods in the diet, devote time to work and sports, have strong ties with family, spend time with friends, spend more time in the sun and do not eat heavily at night.

But let’s put everything on the shelves:

Pure water is the basis of our life (deficiency). The norm is 30 ml of plain and pure water per 1 kg of a person’s weight. Thanks to this, you will be able to control your appetite and include accumulated body fat in metabolic processes and remove toxins from the body.

Stable sleep at an ambient temperature of 18-20 degrees Celsius. It is very important for an excellent metabolism to sleep 7-8 hours a day. It is desirable that the dream was from 22:00-23:00 to 05:00-06:00. The most optimal time for the production of, for example, melatonin (the hormone of life and longevity).

Stress and nervous strain . Stress affects our body not very positively by changing our hormonal levels. With severe stress, cortisol is produced, which destroys your muscle tissue, collagen, provoking aging of the body. Various relaxation procedures (HiTop therapy, electrosleep, light therapy) and self-relaxation.

Underwater massage, positive and negative pressure therapy, electrotherapy, contrast showers are very good helpers in normalizing your metabolism.

Physical exercise . Take care of your muscles. Change your lifestyle. Just start walking (at least 4700 steps a day should be the law), do basic exercises (push-ups, squats, pull-ups), be sure to start stretching.

Improve your gut health by strengthening the good bacteria and eliminating the bad. This protects us from inflammation and helps us be leaner, she claims. Recommendations: variety in food, apples, probiotics, reduction of harmful components in the diet. Dietary diversity is good for the intestines as it is inhabited by various bacteria.

Reduce fat and calories . Bifido and Akkermansia bacteria protect us from obesity and metabolic disorders, reduce the risk of inflammation in the intestines. In order for these species to spread, it is necessary to eat foods high in fiber and protein, but low in carbohydrates. By eating two apples a day, with the skin on, you promote the growth of the population of good bacteria, and make the bad ones partially disappear. In particular, experiments show that the number of good bifidobacteria in the intestine increases significantly only after 14 days of eating apples. Eat foods with probiotics. Chicory, artichokes, garlic and onions are known as probiotics. For the gut bacteria that keep you healthy and lean, these probiotics are a welcome food. By processing probiotics, they create an acidic environment, which in turn stimulates the growth of other intestinal bacteria whose activity ensures weight loss. The group of probiotics includes foods that already contain healthy live bacteria: natural yoghurts, sauerkraut, pickled cucumbers, herring, kefir.

Eat fruits rich in vitamin C and vegetables rich in fiber. All fruits and citrus fruits that contain large amounts of vitamin C, in particular, this applies to pineapples, sour berries, kiwi, green apples, help improve the digestive process, help burn fat and speed up metabolism. And fiber-rich vegetables will help the intestines and stomach work better. By quickly filling the stomach, they give a feeling of satiety for a long time.

Hyaluronic acid

In an effort to prolong youth, people use many products, but none of them is as effective and effective as hyaluronic acid. It is reproduced by our tissues and successfully fights skin aging, is the strongest antioxidant and is involved in the metabolic processes of cells. Glucosamine is one of the main components of nervous, connective and epithelial tissues. He is actively involved in cell division and is partially responsible for their regeneration processes, including collagen. The substance is contained in bone cartilage and increases their resistance to compression, and also ensures normal lipid and water metabolism. From the age of 25, every year the amount of hyaluronic acid in the human body decreases by 1%. As you grow older, its concentration begins to decrease and by the age of 50 it becomes 30-40% less. For this reason, it is necessary to replenish hyaluron reserves artificially, that is, to increase its intake from the outside with the help of appropriate nutrition. Sufficient intake of hyaluronic acid in the intercellular space has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the reproductive system, improves blood microcirculation, increases the rate of delivery of many useful substances to tissues, and increases the protective functions of the body.

Where hyaluronic acid is contained:

Conventionally, all products of this kind are divided into several categories:

— soy;

– animal origin;

– vegetable.

Soy products are considered the best way to compensate for the lack of hyaluron due to the phyto-estrogens included in them. Tofu, beans and soy milk help the body develop its organic matter resources and provide a general health boost.

Herbal products

The hyaluronic acid in starchy foods such as potatoes and beets deserves special attention. They accelerate the synthesis of glucosamine, and grapes and red wine serve as a natural catalyst for this substance.