People with chronic medical illnesses such as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, chronic pain, lupus or cystic fibrosis may be at increased risk for experiencing depression and anxiety compared to their healthy peers. For example, one study found that 16% of patients with cancer meet diagnostic criteria for major depression, compared to only 6.7% of people in the general population (Greer, 2016). In turn, patients with mental health problems such as depression or anxiety may be at greater risk for medical complications and less likely to be adherent to their medical treatments.

Chronic illness might lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. It can interfere with your relationships and result in feelings of loneliness. It may also leave you feeling limited in what you can achieve in life. 

Symptoms of chronic illness overlap with symptoms of depression. For example, fatigue and loss of appetite might indicate a medical problem or a depressive episode. It is thus important to work with a therapist who can help you tell the difference between mental and medical health problems and thus access the appropriate treatment. 

Working with a therapist who specializes in treating patients with chronic illness can help you live a full and meaningful life. Here are some examples of how your therapist might help you:

  • Maximize your capacity to engage in the activities and relationships that are meaningful to you

  • Increase your social support system

  • Learn coping skills for reducing depression and anxiety

  • Integrate your illness into your identity, so that it is a part of you that you accept and take care of, but it doesn’t define you

  • Enhance adherence to medical treatment

  • Provide a safe space for processing your thoughts and feelings about your illness

  • Reduce anxiety about medical settings and treatment

  • Treat medical trauma

  • Provide referrals for psychiatric treatment to help manage co-occurring mental health problems

Click here if you would like more information on therapy for living with chronic illness.