Chronic Disease: Social And Emotional Effects
When we are confronted with an illness, our whole life changes completely. In our time, when life expectancy has increased, it is more and more common for people to live with chronic illness.
Life expectancy, according to the WHO (2016), has increased by 5 years since 2000. Advances in medicine, research that has cured or lessened the effects of many diseases, are largely responsible of the longevity of people.
It is true that on many occasions the treatments that exist are simply palliative. This means that they do not cure the disease 100%, but allow us to maintain a functional state of health in some cases.
But, how well can we achieve old age while still being healthy? It must be taken into account that living with a chronic disease has negative effects on the course of our daily life and, therefore, it means a decrease in the quality of life.
What is a chronic disease?
According to the WHO definition, chronic disease is a functional organic disorder that requires a change in a person’s lifestyle. This disorder tends to persist throughout life.
It is usually a long-lasting condition, lasting more than 6 months, and its progression is usually slow. Among the chronic diseases that most affect people we find (Vinaccia and Orozco, 2005):
- Cardiovascular disease: myocardial infarction and stroke
- The cancer
- Chronic respiratory diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
Many endogenous factors can influence the onset of these diseases (genetics, hormonal aspects, etc.). However, it is important to remember that we ourselves can try to improve the circumstances around us to prevent some of them.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid stress, take care of our environment… These good habits are some of the weapons we have in our power.
The consequences of chronic disease
Chronic or not, all illnesses have negative effects that can affect the course of our lives. Many of these consequences manifest themselves at different levels of the patient and his or her family. Now let’s see what are the most important effects.
The impact of chronic disease on the social domain
According to Castillo, Mañas, Moralejo, and Ahijado (2017), a series of changes can occur when chronic disease develops. Here are some examples :
- Change in the role played before the onset of the disease. In many cases, patients suffer from a loss of autonomy and dependence, and therefore may require significant attention and care.
- In line with the previous point, the need for a primary caregiver may arise. Normally, this figure is occupied by a woman from the family environment of the patient. Therefore, his habits and routines are also affected.
- Abandonment of domestic and daily chores.
- Impact on the patient’s professional life. The person who suffers from the disease may be obliged to take time off work permanently or temporarily. In addition, if we talk about the primary caregiver, he can also see his professional life affected.
- Negative effects on the economy of the patient and his family.
- Loss of social relationships.
The impact of the disease in the psychological or emotional domain
As for the impact on the psychological aspects that we can observe, we note the following: (López Ibor, 2007)
- Anxiety, which may be due to uncertainty about the near future or to pain.
- Depression.
- Problems of adaptation. It is not easy to face a situation that can completely change your life.
- The fear of the unknown, of pain …
- Faced with certain diseases, the fear of death is a more than obvious consequence. Especially in cardiovascular disease or when we are faced with cancer.
- Feelings of guilt or regret. The patient usually “punishes” himself by thinking about what he did wrong or what he could have done better.
In short, while it is clear that treatment aimed at alleviating the disease is a priority, one should not forget the need to treat the psychosocial effects of chronic disease. We must give the importance it deserves to the mental and emotional health, not only of the patient, but also of his nearest environment.
Our thoughts People with chronic illnesses represent the most sensitive group during the pandemic that we are experiencing.
