How physical illness might affect mental health
Our physical health can affect our mental health – and vice-versa. Age, life experiences and the support we have might also shape how we feel or respond to illness.
However, a long-term physical illness or a life-long or chronic condition, like diabetes, is more likely to lead to:
- stress, worry or anxiety, especially over appointments or test results
- low self-esteem, or feelings around discrimination or stigma
- social isolation or loneliness, possibly due to long stays in hospital or having to stay home more
- anger, frustration, or grief, especially if being ill stops us from socialising or doing things we enjoy
- sleep problems, which might be caused by pain, sickness, or from the side effects of some medicines
At NHS Somerset Talking Therapies we run an online 6 weeks course for “Living well with a long term health condition”, It is for people experiencing anxiety or depression directly related to their long term condition.
Treatments & Resources
