Anxiety/depression secondary to other health conditions

[sphinx 0]

I was wondering how many people suffered from anxiety/depression after developing other chronic conditions, whether they feel the other condition had a role in the development of the anxiety/depression, and how medics have reacted.

In my own case I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia first, and sought treatment for anxiety I and my doctor believes related to that. The anxiety may not have been diagnosed but for me going to the doctor and describing it as what it is. I have run into one professional who tried declaring there is no such thing as fibromyalgia and I was suffering the worst case of depression they had seen and was nearly sectionable - after a panic striken visit to my GP I was assured I was not depressed - my reactions were normal considering the very high stress situation I was in, and fibro is real.

Has anyone else had a diagnosis of something challenged with it suggested that it is depression or anxiety instead? Has anyone else had to take time to explain that yes you do get depressed but that is due to the other condition the other condition is not due to being depressed?

[Gilly 1086]

I have Crohns Disease, and an ileostomy. I know for sure that caused my anxiety issues. Took me a long time to realise but now its crystal clear, I was diagnosed aged 12 and it affected me in so many ways. To be honest my gastroenterologist understands completely and is always concerned about my mental health. My GP is different, she's very nice but dismisses any anxiety issues more easily than if I went regarding my crohns. I got 9 sessions of therapy on the NHS, but only because I suffer from a chronic disease? that always shocked me, so what if I didnt?

[mrsalphabet 4]

Yep. Although I have always been a nervous person, my anxiety really skyrocketed after I had my first gallbladder attack. Then after having it removed it went completely out of control. It started with stomach problems related to reflux and IBS which got worse after having my gallbladder removed.

[sphinx 0]

I think this would be an interesting area for research - and I would like to see more investigation as to whether treatment outcomes differ between those whose anxiety is "secondary" and those for whom it is the main problem.

[BonnyC 1]

I don't know. I feel like clinical mental disorders are often there but can be brought to the forefront by stress, trauma, illness, etc. Then there are the sort of temporary ones like postpartum depression. I don't think that you can just suddenly develop it. But I do think that it can be exacerbated. This might not be the popular opinion, but it's all I got. I do know that, while I cycled back and forth as a teenager, it was never as bad as it got after I became a mother working full time from home with a marriage that was falling apart due to a husband that was an alcoholic, not to mention that I was the one who was in charge of everything and the main breadwinner. It was like something broke in me and my BPD really became a serious problem.

[sphinx 0]

I think you are undoubtedly right - we have a sort of level below which we may be a bit rough but we function OK but if other life events such as bad relationships or other chronic illnesses push us over this level then the mental stuff really kicks off.

[deecee 2]

I think the stress of a chronic disease does act as a trigger for mental disorders. Not only are you dealing with adjusting to the chronic condition, you also may have a lot more outside stressors, like multiple doctor visits, financial difficulties, etc. It is also difficult to adjust to perhaps not being physically able to do the things you used to be able to do.

[Mrs. Rogers 2]

Mine wasn't related to any type of illness. Mine I truly believe was hereditary. I am absolutely my father's daughter as he is just like me. No patience, easily angered, etc.

[sphinx 0]

I think the stress of a chronic disease does act as a trigger for mental disorders. Not only are you dealing with adjusting to the chronic condition, you also may have a lot more outside stressors, like multiple doctor visits, financial difficulties, etc. It is also difficult to adjust to perhaps not being physically able to do the things you used to be able to do.

You are totally right - its never just one thing but it all interlinks. Also you sometimes end up having to be support for others who are upset at what you are going through which can be incredibly draining.

[kinser 3]

I think the stress of a chronic disease does act as a trigger for mental disorders. Not only are you dealing with adjusting to the chronic condition, you also may have a lot more outside stressors, like multiple doctor visits, financial difficulties, etc. It is also difficult to adjust to perhaps not being physically able to do the things you used to be able to do.

I definitely agree as well. I don't know how someone could NOT be depressed or anxious over other health problems, at least to some degree. For those of us who already suffer, obviously it may just exaccerbate our symptoms. But I think anxiety would be expected in all situations where a person learns he or she (or a loved one) has a major illness. Just the thought of the fianancial implications alone makes it hard for me to breathe!

[sphinx 0]

I think one problem is the tendency with some conditions (like fibromyalgia) to blame them on a mental illness rather than blame the mental symptoms on the physical illness - like I mentioned in my opening post. Its like some doctors (and other medical staff) decide that the pain, exhaustion and confusion of fibro is all caused by the depression the person suffers - when actually the depression is caused by the pain exhaustion and confusion. You ask them whether they would be depressed if they were in stupid pain 24/7, with all their dreams reduced to ashes, left feeling totally useless and they look at you like you are an alien.

I mean getting depressed in certain situations is a normal response - it only becomes a problem if it doesn't resolve or go away - why do some medics think it can only ever be a problem and that all problems result from depression not depression can result from other problems.

[SEA81 2]

My first on-set came after a health issue. Of course, I thought that health issue was way worse than it actually is. Now, the thought of going to a doctor sends me into dehabilitating panic. I've developed really bad health anxiety, and my mom's health problems in recent years have made all of that a million times worse.

[sphinx 0]

I think doctors surgeries need to start considering health anxiety and finding ways to help it - I have suggested elsewhere (not sure if on this forum or a different ones - i struggle to keep track cause of the fibro) that maybe surgeries should start doing a monthly "tea and biscuits" session with the practice manager and one or 2 of the GPs present (different GPs each month) to let people attend the surgery in a social setting. Obviously there would need to be a rule about no medical talk but I think it would help. I know my GP from outside the surgery as well and it definitely makes a difference.