Updated on October 16, 2024.
Watch as Jen Caudle, DO and Jud Brewer, MD, PhD discuss the ins and outs of anxiety and depression and how they interact with psoriatic arthritis.
Transcript
Learning how your mind works and learning how to work with your mind helps you realize how much power you actually have that you might not have realized before.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Let's talk about psoriatic arthritis and mental health.
You know, for many patients with psoriatic arthritis, their mental health and physical symptoms go hand-in-hand, in a way.
Patients with psoriatic arthritis reported higher rates of depression and anxiety than the general population. Patients have said things like, "With my psoriasis,
my body hurts all the time and I don't feel like doing anything." Or some have said, "The more upset I get, the worse my health conditions get."
So Dr. Jud, how is psoriatic arthritis related to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders? You know, anxiety and psoriatic arthritis feed
into each other. Anxiety may intensify physical arthritis symptoms, and vice versa. Psoriatic arthritis may contribute
to anxiety through chronic pain and itchiness, the stigma of a chronic skin condition, also a lack of sleep and fatigue, which can be its own feedback system itself.
Psoriatic arthritis can lead to depression in a few ways-- through sleep disorders, through sexual disorders, and through chronic pain.
Depression may also worsen psoriasis. It can modulate itch perception, meaning itchiness caused by psoriasis may feel even Itchier with depression.
It's amazing how many connections there are between mental health and psoriatic arthritis. So Dr. Jud, what would you recommend
for psoriatic arthritis patients out there that want to take steps towards managing their mental health? Treatment is critical.
Patients on biologics for psoriatic arthritis tend to report fewer depression symptoms. Another treatment that's helpful is Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy. Research suggests that CBT reduces anxiety , depression, stress, and the physical symptoms of arthritis.
Remember, having a chronic illness may provide challenges in everyday life. But there are medical and mental health professionals
out there that you can talk to. Speak with your health care provider about what you can do to best manage both the mental and the physical aspects of your illness.
