Let’s talk about how an autoimmune disease affects an individual’s psychology and how their psychological state can influence their health. First, let’s see what autoimmune diseases are. An autoimmune disease is a chronic condition where the immune system seems to attack its own healthy cells, as it loses the ability to recognize the cells that protect the body’s organs. To date, more than 150 different autoimmune diseases have been identified and studied, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, dermatomyositis, alopecia areata, vitiligo, and many others. The main characteristic of autoimmune diseases is chronic inflammation, which can manifest as chronic pain, swelling, fever, fatigue, mood changes, and disturbances in sleep or nutrition, among others. Gender and age appear to be related to the development of autoimmune diseases. Specifically, it has been observed that four out of five people diagnosed with an autoimmune disease are women, and most autoimmune diseases tend to appear in young adults.
Numerous studies have shown a direct link between stress and autoimmune diseases. When a person experiences intense stress, the body perceives it as a threat and releases hormones designed to increase pain tolerance and endurance, such as cortisol and adrenaline. As these hormones increase, the brain may adjust the body’s functions to cope with the current situation in order to survive. When a person is under stress for prolonged periods, the body fails to balance the excessive activation of the immune system, resulting in the onset of an autoimmune disease. Naturally, other factors like predisposition, the type of stress the person experiences, and their lifestyle can influence the appearance of the disease. Many autoimmune diseases mentioned above have been found to be directly linked to stress and depressive symptoms. For instance, individuals under intense stress seem to be more prone to developing Crohn’s disease, those with post-traumatic stress disorder are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, while individuals with ADHD and eating disorders are more likely to develop both Crohn’s disease and psoriasis, as well as type 1 diabetes, among others.
Similarly, when someone has already developed an autoimmune disease, they may experience intense discomfort, depending on the disease, health condition, environment, and lifestyle. Several studies have shown that people with autoimmune diseases such as ulcerative colitis, thyroid conditions, and lupus are more likely to develop anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. The onset of an autoimmune disease does not necessarily mean that the individual will experience severe symptoms leading to a diagnosis of a mental disorder. However, in many cases, the person may report difficulty sleeping, low mood, and reduced quality of life, which can cause considerable distress.
Some of the physical symptoms present in an autoimmune disease can also cause psychological discomfort. For example, inflammation, which is quite common in individuals with autoimmune diseases, not only causes physical discomfort but also affects brain chemicals, resulting in low mood and depressive symptoms. Moreover, the stress experienced by someone dealing with an autoimmune disease can directly impact their psychological state, as can the medication they take, which may have an immediate effect on their mental health.
Therefore, there seems to be a strong correlation between autoimmune diseases and psychology. Often, the therapeutic approach to managing an autoimmune disease may be sufficient to reduce any mental discomfort the individual may be experiencing. However, in several cases, the treatment for managing the autoimmune disease may worsen the individual’s mental state. It is important for the person to try to maintain their daily routine after diagnosis as close to the normalcy they had before the diagnosis. For example, it would be important for the person to gradually re-integrate into their daily routine (work, obligations, activities) and to try to add activities that their health permits, which help them exercise/move, preferably outside the house. Additionally, it is important for the person to seek appropriate support from healthcare professionals so that they receive the right guidance and support for better managing any difficulties related to their mental health. Finally, the supportive environment in the person’s life is equally important. When the person is surrounded by people who care for and support them, they will feel more fulfilled, strong, and less alone.
