Impact of arthritis on mental health is focus of National Arthritis Week

Arthritis Ireland is highlighting the impact that arthritis can have on people’s mental health and wellbeing during National Arthritis Week, which takes place 12-18 April.

According to the national patient organisation, arthritis is associated with poor mental health, including depression and anxiety. Research has shown that up to 20% of rheumatoid arthritis patients experience depression, with 30% developing depression within five years of diagnosis.

Arthritis is the biggest cause of disability in the country and affects one million people in Ireland. According to Gráinne O’Leary, chief executive of Arthritis Ireland, “While the physical symptoms of arthritis, like fatigue and joint damage, are well recognised, there is much less awareness of the drastic effect the condition can have on mental health and well-being.

“The disruptive and destructive nature of arthritis impacts people’s relationships, their careers and their capacity to enjoy life. The burden of living with chronic pain and fatigue affects mental, as well as physical health, with the most common psychological comorbidities being depression and anxiety.

“However, these are poorly recognised within the health system, and there is too little psychological support for people to help them deal with the mental health aspects of living with a chronic disease like arthritis,” O’Leary said.

As part of National Arthritis Week, the charity is holding an online information event on Tuesday, April 13 with Dr Jennifer Wilson-O’Raghallaigh, chief clinical psychologist at Beaumont Hospital to discuss the relationship between arthritis and mental health. They will also air a series of online daily mindfulness sessions with mindfulness practitioner, Susan Barrett.

How sleep, diet and exercise affect inflammation is the theme of an online symposium to be held in conjunction with the molecular rheumatology unit at Trinity College Dublin, which takes place on Thursday, 15 April.

The charity will also launch a nationwide survey looking to gain a better understanding of how arthritis affects mental health, and it will announce a new six-week mental health online course, called Behind the Pain.

Further information about National Arthritis Week is available on the charity’s website at www. arthritisireland.ie. Anyone wishing to support Arthri