When you have chronic kidney disease, your risk of depression and anxiety is higher than most. On top of that, having a rare disease increases that risk even more. It’s important to tend to your mental and emotional health to best manage your overall wellness.
Rare, chronic kidney disease comes with many stressors. Some of the common ones include:
- The challenge of staying healthy and well while living with illness
- A hard time sticking with treatments
- Unexpected effects or events of your disease
- Changes in your body
- Feeling like a burden to others
- Sleep trouble
- Food restrictions
- Worries about your disease’s impact on your family, work, social life, and love life.
- Concerns about the cost of treatment
- Time commitment for dialysis, if you need it
The initial diagnosis of a long-term condition can also be overwhelming. You may feel anger, disbelief, or sadness. While these feelings are normal, over time, stress and emotional overload can affect your physical health.
Here are a few ways to monitor and improve your mental well-being as you navigate life with your disease.
Where to Turn
You don’t have to go it alone. There are many people and resources that can help. Some of the options include:
Your doctor. Start by talking with the doctor you see for your C3 glomerulopathy. They can point you to resources in their clinic or refer you to other professionals who specialize in mental health and wellness.
Social worker. Some comprehensive medical clinics have a social worker on staff. If not, you can find one through your insurance company. Licensed clinical social workers can diagnose and treat behavioral and mental health and also put you in touch with other resources in your area.
Support group. Support groups for people with kidney disease, rare diseases, or chronic conditions connect you with others who have firsthand experience with some of the same struggles you do. These can be safe and open spaces for you to share how you’re feeling and get advice from people who understand what you’re going through.
Counselor or therapist. Regular sessions with a mental health specialist can be an effective way to stay on top of your emotional health. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication for depression or anxiety if you need it.
Adopt Good Mental Health Habits
It’s important to have ways to keep your mental health at its best. Healthy lifestyle changes can help you feel more positive and in control. Here are some steps you can take in the right direction.
Learn more. Read self-help books or websites on mental health to understand more about why you might be feeling the way you feel.
Keep a journal. Simply write out your thoughts, fears, and worries. This can be a great exercise that unburdens your mind for a while and helps you sort through your struggles.
Exercise. Regular physical activity boosts your mood. It may relieve some feelings of depression and anxiety and improve the way you treat yourself. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
Eat a kidney-healthy diet. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian about foods that will help your kidneys work best. They can help you plan meals that won’t overload your kidneys on certain nutrients such as potassium. They’ll also teach you about the right amount of fluid intake.
Connect with a higher power. If you’re religious or spiritual, take time to tap into this part of you. It can help bring calm and a feeling of groundedness.
Focus on good sleep. When you don’t sleep well, you don’t feel well, and your mood can take a dive as a result. Keep a sleep schedule that puts you in bed and wakes you up at the same time every day, and skip the screens close to bedtime so your body can really wind down for rest.
Reach out. Don’t isolate yourself. Share how you are feeling with someone you trust. This can include family members, friends, and other loved ones. These people can encourage, support, and help you feel better.
Practice relaxation techniques. Try meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or massage to get your body and mind into a more relaxed state.
Helpful Resources
These organizations can lead you to more information and community support:
- National Kidney Foundation
- NephCure Kidney International
- Kidneeds (A C3 glomerulopathy-specific organization)
- American Association of Kidney Patients
- National Organization for Rare Disorders
Show Sources
Photo Credit: Dougal Waters / Getty Images
SOURCES:
Cureus: “Prevalence and Factors of Anxiety and Depression in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Cross-sectional Single-Center Study in Saudi Arabia.”
The Lund Report: “Study: People With Rare Diseases Suffer High Rates Of Anxiety, Depression.”
Dialysis Patient Citizens Education Center: “Wellness and Mental Health While Living with Rare Disease.”
American Kidney Fund: “Mental health and kidney disease,” “Kidney-friendly eating plan.”
National Association of Social Workers: “Behavioral Health.”
