Lupus And Depression, How Are They Related?

Lupus and depression are closely related. So much so that, in some cases, this mood disorder is the first manifestation of this autoimmune disease. Irritability, low energy, discouragement, frustration, negativity … There comes a time when psychological factors overlap with physical ones; the person reaches the limit of his strength.

If we had to talk about an invisible disease, it would be systemic lupus erythematosus. This condition, in which the immune system ends up attacking the body itself, affects about five million people around the world. They are not many if we compare them with all those that live on the planet, it is true. Today it is within the group of the 8000 types of less frequent diseases.

Even so, the impact on the life of those who suffer from it is immense. Lupus can leave irreversible lesions;  Given its complexity, patients do not know what can happen next: heart problems, lung problems, joint pain, skin changes, digestive problems… To organic problems, mental problems are also added.

It is important to keep this in mind. Thus, when offering adequate and effective assistance to the patient with lupus, it must be taken into account that the risk of depression is high within the clinical picture. Let’s know more data.

Lupus and depression: characteristics, causes and treatment

A study by the University of Navarra describes the case of a woman who attends primary care due to a situation of work stress. Doctors diagnose her with a depressive disorder but as they treat her, they intuit something else. His depression was not solely due to a situation of professional burnout.

The patient was also diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. It is not usual. That is, on average, people go to the doctor first for joint pain, redness on the skin, weakness, chest pain or hair loss. However, in most cases, it also has a mood problem, such as anxiety or depression.

What are the symptoms of lupus and depression?

About 60% of people with chronic diseases develop depression at some point. In the case of lupus, the most common manifestations are the following:

• Low self-esteem.
• Feelings of worthlessness, of helplessness.
• Low energy, feeling of constant exhaustion.
• Constant feeling of insecurity and low self-efficacy.

• Feelings of guilt
• Trouble making decisions.
• Memory failures.
• Inability to enjoy activities that were previously pleasant.
• Suicidal ideas.

Beyond these characteristics, there is an obvious fact: people with lupus do not always receive an adequate diagnosis in this area. It is assumed that this fatigue, that discouragement and those concentration problems are the consequence of the autoimmune disease itself. Hence, not all patients end up receiving care in the mental area.

Why are lupus and depressive disorders related?

There are those who think that it is enough to receive a medical diagnosis, such as the one referring to chronic diseases, to lead to a psychological disorder. Let’s be clear about it, it is not that the person gets discouraged and feels that the world is coming upon them. In the case of lupus, it is the organic condition itself that generates in many cases these alterations in the state of mind -organic cause-.

• On average, lupus and depression affect women between the ages of 15 and 40 the most.
• This autoimmune disease also impacts the central nervous system. Some of the patients affected by lupus may experience memory disturbances, seizures and psychotic outbreaks.
• Lupus and depression are related because the disease itself has a neuropsychiatric impact in many cases.
• On the other hand, it has also been seen that there are several medications (such as corticosteroids) that are used to treat lupus that have the effect of altering the mood.
• There is also a factor that is being studied in recent years. Research such as that carried out by Dr. Andrea L. Roberts, from the University of Michigan, considers the possibility that in certain cases, depression itself may be another risk factor for the appearance of lupus.

• In that research , of the 195,000 women evaluated over 20 years, 145 cases developed lupus after suffering from a depressive disorder. That is, it is not that this disorder is a trigger, it would be one more risk factor.

How is it treated?

Since lupus and depression go hand in hand, it is essential that health professionals do not neglect the mental aspect. There are areas of psychology specialized in the care of patients with chronic diseases to which it is always appropriate to turn.

• On the other hand, it is essential that the patient knows his illness. There is no cure for lupus, but there are treatments that can facilitate a better quality of life and reduce the impact of flare-ups.

• It is always advisable to be in contact with support groups. Meeting people who live the same reality supports and facilitates the acquisition of new coping skills.
• On the other hand, the psychological approach must be systemic : it is necessary to attend to the emotional aspect, anxiety about the illness itself, work and relationship concerns …

The life of a lupus patient often presents multiple challenges. Taking care of lifestyle habits, having support and having adequate medical and psychological assistance is always the best way, the best option.