Arthritis increases chances of anxiety and depression, and solutions available to you

Its pretty tough to have any kind of auto-immune disorder, but  does the auto-immune disorder increase the likelihood of a mental health disorders showing up sometime after the development of the former?

More than 20% of adults with arthritis have anxiety, and more than 10% of arthritis sufferers deal with depression.  There are over 10 million sufferers with arthritis who also have to deal with either anxiety or depression in addition to their other symptoms.  Anxiety and depression are also more common among younger adults where the effects of this debilitating auto-immune condition becomes more challenging and life changing.  Arthritis and mental health had previously been identified as two of the three greatest causes of work disability in adults aged 18-64.  The most productive years can be hindered not just by the arthritis alone, but also by the mental health agony that can come with it (1) .

There are many factors at play.  More women who have arthritis get the anxiety and depression than men.  Socioeconomic factors also play a role as well.  Symptoms of anxiety and depression were more likely if unemployed, disabled, or unable to work vs those who were employed.  Not surprisingly the study also showed higher prevalence of anxiety and depression amongst those with chronic pain and psychological distress!  Symptoms were less amongst those who exercised regularly vs inactive adults.  Diet also played a role as did smoking history.  The study importantly concluded that most people who had anxiety and depression with their auto-immune condition were not all that likely to receive the comprehensive care that they needed.  A multifaceted approach is needed. 

Its hard to say what is really going on and the reason(s) for the increased anxiety and depression in these populations but brain inflammation (2) clearly plays a role.  Inflammation is not region specific.  It is to some extent, but there is always overlap and inflammation in the joints can definitely lead to inflammation in the brain, the symptoms of which can be depression and anxiety as well as overall brain fog and other symptoms!

The solution is a well rounded treatment protocol that addresses all the symptoms of patient.  Whether the arthritis is severe enough to require biologicals or chemotherapy and heavy duty western drugs to manage, or is just starting out, it has been shown that acupuncture and herbal therapy can be very effective for arthritis and the underlying causes, which always has to be addressed (vs symptoms cover up only) for decent progress to be made.  Acupuncture and herbal medicine additionally address the all important inflammation that is the root of the damages that is done with this condition.

Acupuncture can address arthritis by itself depending on the extent and severity of the condition, or it can be an adjunct therapy to the treatments being received already and has the additional benefit of reducing overall inflammation and reducing anxiety and depression that way.