Navigating Social Anxiety and Psoriatic Arthritis: Crucial Insights Revealed
Living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) doesn't just mean grappling with physical symptoms. The mental health aspect is equally crucial –anxiety and stress can worsen PsA symptoms, while PsA can teeth into your mental well-being, too.
Let's break it down:
PsA-related joint pain and inflammation can dent your self-confidence and impact your overall quality of life. Research shows that certain proteins, known as cytokines, play a role in both PsA inflammation and symptoms of depression and anxiety. So if you find yourself feeling both anxious and inflamed, there's a reason behind it.
On a positive note, managing mental health issues like anxiety and depression can help minimize the impact of PsA. In other words, it's a win-win situation.
PsA can cause a variety of physical and psychological symptoms:
- fatigue
- painful and inflamed tendons
- swollen fingers and toes
- joint pain and stiffness
- reduced range of motion
- nail changes
- eye redness and pain
- anxious thoughts
- restlessness
- rapid heart rate
- dizziness
- shortness of breath
- sleep disturbance
- social withdrawal
- sadness
- irritability
- hopelessness
- trouble with concentration
- appetite changes
- thoughts of suicide
The physical and mental symptoms tend to feed off each other, creating a never-ending cycle. For example, research suggests that stress may cause PsA flares, which can then fuel anxiety and depression. In turn, depression can worsen the impression of pain, according to a 2003 research review.
Dealing with these complications can hurt your social functioning. A 2017 study on psoriasis, PsA's close sibling, offers some insight into social triggers that likely apply to both conditions. The study found that the age of disease onset affected its influence on social anxiety. For people diagnosed with psoriasis in adulthood, the primary cause of social anxiety was concern about their appearance. For people diagnosed before age 18, stigmatizing experiences mattered the most.
Finding the confidence to interact socially can make a substantial difference in your life. Here are some strategies to help you feel better emotionally:
Talk Therapy
Changing negative thought patterns can help boost your confidence. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found effective at helping to improve social anxiety, whether conducted in-office or online.
Medication
While adding another prescription to the mix might seem daunting, certain antidepressants can help if anxiety is interfering with your daily functioning. A 2017 review found some evidence that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help with diagnosed social anxiety disorder.
Exercise
Exercise has been shown to reduce joint stiffness, pain, and fatigue in people with PsA. Low-impact options like walking, strength training, and swimming can be excellent choices.
Nutrition
A healthy diet can potentially ease PsA symptoms and improve your mood. However, the diet that works best for you might not work for another person with PsA. A 2018 review gave only weak recommendations for any given diet in helping with symptoms.
Connection
Connecting with others who have gone through similar experiences can provide a cathartic "SAME!" moment. Organizations like the National Psoriasis Foundation's One to One and Healthline's Bezzy PsA offer peer support programs for people living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
tl;dr: Mental health support plays a significant role in managing symptoms and progression of psoriatic arthritis. Therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and social support can help you feel better emotionally, paving the way for effective management of your condition.
- Research indicates that cytokines, certain proteins linked to inflammation in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), also contribute to symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Managing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which can worsen PsA symptoms, can help minimize the impact of the condition, creating a win-win situation.
- Connecting with others who have experienced psoriatic arthritis, either through peer support programs like the National Psoriasis Foundation's One to One or Healthline's Bezzy PsA, can provide a sense of shared understanding.
- A true holistic approach to managing psoriatic arthritis involves addressing both the physical and mental symptoms, including nutrition, exercise, and mental health support, to improve overall quality of life.
