According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than 50 million Americans suffer with some form of arthritis. Arthritis is the number one form of disability worldwide.
Arthritis Today Magazine revealed, “a new study from the CDC found that people with arthritis have high rates of depression and anxiety, that the conditions are under diagnosed and that many of those affected don’t receive mental health treatment – which could potentially help with their physical symptoms.”
The new CDC study, published in the April 30 issue of the American College of Rheumatology’s journal Arthritis Care and Research, stated:
• One-third of survey participants reported having either anxiety or depression
• 84 percent of the patients with depression also had anxiety.
• 50 percent of those with anxiety also had depression.
• 31 percent of the participants had anxiety.
• 18 percent of the participants had depression.
• Only half of the study participants who had anxiety or depression had sought mental health care for their symptoms.
“Both depression and anxiety are common among people suffering from chronic disease, but while physicians know to look for signs of depression, they often fail to consider anxiety,” stated TIME Magazine.
According to TIME, “the researchers surveyed 1,793 adults 45 years or older with doctor-diagnosed arthritis or other rheumatic conditions, who responded to a previous CDC Arthritis Conditions and Health Effects Survey. The team assessed the participants’ anxiety and depression based on their responses to emotional well-being questions from the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales, such as: During the past 12 months, have you sought help for stress, depression or problems with emotions?”
The survey was conducted via telephone.
In a media interview, lead researcher Dr. Louise Murphy with the Arthritis Program at the CDC in Atlanta stated, “People with arthritis face a lot of challenges associated with the physical symptoms. If you’re worried about your livelihood and your ability to perform at your job, this can be very stressful.”
It is important to let your doctor know if you are suffering from depression or anxiety.
“According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, someone who has depression and a chronic illness may be less likely to adhere to his treatment, and more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, eat poorly and neglect physical activity. All of these behaviors can all lead to poorer outcomes.”
Possible treatments for depression and anxiety include medication. The CDC recommends self-management classes as well as physical activity.
Two possible options are the EnhanceFitness program http://www.projectenhance.org/ or the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease program http://www.arthritistoday.org/fitness/walking/walk-with-ease/index.php/ which are both tailored for arthritis patients.
Works Cited:
"CDC Study." Houston Chronicle. Web. 20 June 2012.
www.chron.com/business/press-releases/article/One-Third-of-Arthritis-Patients-Also-Experience-3583682.php
Sifferlin, Alexandra. "One-Third of Adults with Arthritis Suffer From Depression and Anxiety Too | Healthland | TIME.com." Healthland | A healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit | TIME.com. Web. 20 June 2012.
http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/01/having-arthritis-often-means-suffering-from-depression-and-anxiety-too
Worth, Tammy. "Arthritis Depression | Arthritis Anxiety | Arthritis Today Magazine." Arthritis | Arthritis Today Magazine | Arthritis Foundation. Web. 20 June 2012.
http://www.arthritistoday.org/news/arthritis-depression-anxiety193.php
Reviewed June 20, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith