| Emotional
Adjustment |
| Anxiety, Attitude,
Depression, Pain,Quality of Life, Sex, Sleep, Suicide |
 Hello, I am Janey Willis, ISN Guide to Emotional Adjustment. I know from experience that scleroderma can place unique demands on patients and caregivers alike. I have systemic scleroderma (SSc). It is common to suffer reactive depression with scleroderma. If you or someone you care about is having a difficult or suicidal time right now, call your nearest suicide hotline, or a doctor, or hospital. This is a medical emergency and it is okay to go to the emergency room or to call for help from your local police or fire department. The important thing is to make a call—any call—until you find help. |
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| Emotional Adjustment and Scleroderma (MAIN MENU) |
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| Overview |
Traditionally, the experience of serious illness has been approached in two ways: (1) a gloomy perspective of resignation, self-denial, and helplessness, or (2) a Pollyanna approach that denies altogether that there has been a real trauma. Both of these perspectives distort and disguise the reality of chronic illness. Adapted from the book After the Diagnosis : From Crisis to Personal Renewal for Patients With Chronic Illness by Dr. JoAnn LeMaistre. |
| Mental health in patients with systemic sclerosis: a controlled investigation. Timely detection of psychosocial difficulties and appropriate psychological or psychiatric intervention may represent important steps toward better adherence to medical treatment and improved psychological well-being and quality of life. (PubMed) J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2008 Mar;22(3):336-40. |
| Anxiety, Attitude, and Scleroderma |
| Coping: Anxiety and Attitude. Anxiety is a normal reaction to a tense situation such as an acute or chronic illness. It helps one to better cope with the situation. However, too much anxiety can lead to serious illness or worsening of a existing condition. Anxiety is a symptom that needs to be addressed and minimized when one is dealing with a chronic illness such as scleroderma. ISN. |
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| Coping with Scleroderma |
| Coping with Scleroderma. A healthy emotional adjustment is an important part of having a good quality of life (QOL). It is even more important when you have a chronic illness such as scleroderma. Maintaining healthy routines such as exercise and diet, taking your medications properly, staying close to family and friends, and knowing how you feel emotionally and physically all contribute to your overall state of being. ISN. |
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| Depression and Scleroderma |
| Depression is a serious sadness that may or may not have a reason. For people with scleroderma or another chronic illness, depression is a natural reaction to the diagnosis, the symptoms, and changes in the quality of life. Unfortunately, depression can add to the physical problems presented by the disease; therefore, depression needs to be addressed and reduced as much as possible. ISN. |
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| Fatigue |
| Fatigue in Scleroderma. Mild to extreme fatigue is a common symptom of scleroderma. It affects your daily activities and overall quality of life. Fatigue is not in your head. It is caused by physiological problems as well as psychological problems associated with the disease or other symptoms of the disease. ISN. |
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| Pain Management and Scleroderma |
| Pain Management. Pain can be an acute pain that comes on suddenly and goes away quickly. Pain can also be a chronic pain that comes on slowly and persists for months and even years. Many people with scleroderma suffer from chronic pain; therefore, in order to maintain an acceptable quality of life it is important to learn how to manage the pain. ISN |
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| Quality of Life with Scleroderma |
| Quality of Life with Scleroderma. The quality of life (QOL) is affected any time something prevents you from maintaining your normal routine or from doing something that you enjoy. A broken arm will affect your QOL on a temporary basis, but a chronic illness may it affect it indefinitely. ISN. |
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| Sexuality and Scleroderma |
| Sexuality and Scleroderma. Scleroderma can affect every aspect of sexuality, for both men and women. Men often experience erectile dysfunction as the first sign of systemic scleroderma, due to fibrosis and impaired circulation. Women frequently develop vaginal dryness. Both men and women may experience decreased sex drive, joint and muscle pain, mouth dryness, diminished hand dexterity, fatigue, breathing difficulties, heart problems, sensitivity to cold, gastrointestinal disruptions, smaller mouth size, TMJ, and depression. ISN. |
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| Sleep and Scleroderma |
| Sleep and Scleroderma. Poor sleep has been found to trigger inflammation and worsen pain. It can lead to depression and make it more difficult to cope with chronic illness. If you are not getting 8 hours of sound sleep each night, if you do not wake up feeling refreshed, or if you sleep more than 10 hours a day, and if any of these conditions have existed for more than 2 weeks, it is time to see your doctor. Be sure to ask for a sleep clinic evaluation if you have any symptoms of sleep apnea, such as snoring or interrupted breathing. ISN. |
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| Suicide Prevention |
| Suicide Prevention. If you or a loved one are even casually thinking about suicide, this
is a medical emergency! Call your local emergency number
(911 in the U.S.) or go to your local Emergency Room right
away. |
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