Because anxiety and depression appear to be inextricably linked to ITP, managing some of the challenges of living with the condition may be one way to help reduce its impact on your mental health.
Here are some of the main issues that can crop up when living with ITP — and what you can do to minimize them.
Facing the Reality of a Chronic Condition Persistent or chronic ITP is a lifelong condition, which means you may always need medications and other treatments to manage your symptoms. And you’ll always need to stay vigilant about avoiding injury to reduce your risk of uncontrolled bleeding. “Having any chronic disorder is difficult and impacts daily living,” says Dr. Wolanskyj-Spinner.
“Having a chronic condition in itself is a brain shift for people. Maybe they were completely healthy before, and now they have to change the way they think about things,” Martin says. “The quality-of-life scores for people with ITP are similar to those of people with cancer.”
If you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, or stress, talk to your hematologist about getting a referral to a mental health professional — preferably one who has experience working with people who have a chronic condition.
Limiting Your Activities If you were active and enjoyed certain activities, such as high-contact sports, before you were diagnosed with ITP, you may have been advised to limit or stop engaging in them, because they’re considered risky for people with ITP. Having to avoid or modify your normal activities may lead you to experience depression and other negative emotions.
While these challenges can be significant, preparing yourself for the emotional burden of ITP can help you reframe those challenges so you can live your life to the fullest.
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