Young arthritis sufferers affected by isolation and depression, says charity
YOUNG Northern Ireland people with arthritis are facing an “epidemic of isolation”, with many sufferers plunging into depression, it has emerged.
New research, which lays bare the devastating effects of the illness, reveals that 16 to 34 year -olds are the most likely to avoid social events due to the pain and fatigue of the condition.
More worryingly, the majority of that age group report feeling lonely on a regular basis, with half of them admitting to having experienced mental health problems.
Now, in the run up to Christmas, the charity Versus Arthritis, which commissioned the study, is calling for a collective effort to help reduce the isolation risk across the board.
Belfast legal analyst Caitriona Roberts (26), who was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) when she was just 12, said she believes arthritis is “Northern Ireland’s biggest hidden health problem”.
“No-one knows that young people can get arthritis so it’s a massive shock when you get a diagnosis and you just feel completely isolated,” she told the Belfast Telegraph.
“I know a lot of people my age who suffer from it but because it’s hidden people don’t talk about it and therefore it’s a very isolating illness.”
The Defying Arthritis at Every Age report reveals that three quarters (73%) of 16-34 year olds with arthritis avoid making plans for social occasions altogether because of their condition, compared to an average of 47% across people living with arthritis across all ages.
A similar number (75%) of young people with arthritis cancel events with family and friends because of pain and fatigue, compared to just over half (52%) across all age ranges.
Caitriona said doctors kept telling her she had sprained ankles and knees, so she was only finally diagnosed by chance when her local GP noticed she was limping at an appointment.
“From my diagnosis my arthritis has spread. Initially it was in two joints and now it’s in all of them, which causes a lot of pain and immobility,” she said.
“I can’t walk or write a lot of time and can’t eat sometimes because my jaw is affected so it does affect all aspects of my life. I didn’t know it could happen in your jaw until it happened to me.
“A normal person can go out for drinks after work but this just isn’t something I can usually manage. My condition causes me to feel constantly tired and sometimes I don’t even manage to get through a full working day.”
Arthritis affects 10 million people — or one in six — in the UK, half of whom experience pain every day.
Christmas is particularly difficult for Caitriona, who said she’s “daunted by of the socialising and shopping aspect”.
“I can’t go out Christmas shopping because it’s way too busy and I can’t cope with standing for too long,” she said.
“The lines of people are too long, and people aren’t as kind to me because they can’t see my disability, as its invisible and I’m young. So now I only go out on very rare occasions if I’m guaranteed a seat.
“Even just going for dinner is difficult, and going to a club — I find it so embarrassing as a young person having to sit on the side. I often get odd looks from people and it’s just easier to avoid the situation.”
Feelings of ‘being a burden’
are particularly acute among those aged 16-34, putting them at risk of developing mental health issues:
• Three quarters of (73%) young people feel lonely because of arthritis, while two in five (42%) feel isolated on a regular basis,
• Half (49%) have experienced mental health problems, including depression or anxiety; and
• Over half (56%) have struggled with low self-confidence because of their arthritis.
Liam O’Toole, CEO of Versus Arthritis, said arthritis is very isolating for sufferers. “Arthritis steals your independence and spontaneity — the unpredictability and pain of arthritis means many people living with it don’t make social plans at all, while others feel embarrassed or hide their condition, even from friends and family,” he said.
❝ Arthritis steals your independence and your spontaneity