{"id":163,"date":"2022-07-11T03:50:29","date_gmt":"2022-07-11T03:50:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flexiseq.com\/?p=163"},"modified":"2024-10-26T15:43:17","modified_gmt":"2024-10-26T15:43:17","slug":"7-tips-to-help-with-the-depression-of-arthritis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flexiseq.com\/blogs\/expert-advice\/7-tips-to-help-with-the-depression-of-arthritis\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Tips To Help With The Depression Of Arthritis"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Have you experienced depression since your arthritis diagnosis? If so, you\u2019re far from alone. Studies have shown<\/a> that depression and anxiety can lower your pain tolerance, whilst at the same time chronic pain can exacerbate feelings of low mood and stress, creating a vicious cycle. Living with chronic pain and feeling like you\u2019re being held back from some of the things you used to do is not an easy thing to deal with and difficult feelings around this are an entirely understandable reaction.<\/p>

You don\u2019t have to suffer in silence. Arthritis is not an easy condition to live with, but by learning how to manage your mental health you can not only feel better mentally but also reduce your physical suffering. <\/p>\n

\"Flexi <\/a> <\/div>

1. Know the difference between emotions and feelings
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Emotions are our automatic, often subconscious response events. Emotions are really important, because they often communicate something to us. Anger, for example, can let us know that one of our boundaries has been breached, whilst sadness can help us reach out for human connection or acknowledge something in our lives that we want to change. <\/p>

Everyone experiences emotions, and some emotions can feel \u2018better\u2019 or \u2018worse\u2019 than others. It\u2019s important not to fear your emotions: they are a vital and normal part of being human. Instead, try to see what your emotions are communicating with you and spend some time feeling them so they can be released rather than suppressed and built up.<\/p>

Feelings are the subjective experience of emotions, so they are the \u2018script\u2019 we give our emotions. These scripts determine how we feel and respond to our emotions. For example, one person may feel terrified of public speaking because they have a script which tells them they can\u2019t do it, whilst someone else may feel exhilarated because they are confident in their abilities. <\/p>

Our experience of our emotions can be greatly altered by the feelings we associate with them and the stories we tell ourselves. By spending some time self-reflecting and\/or working with a professional, we can learn to change our script and change the way we feel.<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>

2. Know the signs of depression <\/h3> <\/div> <\/div>
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Everyone feels sad from time to time, but when these feelings become constant, take over your life and stop you feeling able to cope with and manage your emotions, this may be a sign of depression. Symptoms of depression include: <\/p>