In an exclusive HealthCentral survey, readers shared how much stress impacts their everyday lives. (Spoiler: It’s a lot.)
Managing a chronic health condition is challenging enough, but the stress that accompanies it can be overwhelming. Seeking to understand just how much stress our chronic community is under and what’s driving it, we conducted a survey. Nearly 600 of you responded, shedding light on everything from how your mood is affected by your health condition to the coping mechanisms you rely on to keep yourself going when the going gets stressful. Here’s what else we learned.
1. Chronic Conditions Take a Toll on Your Mood
With chronic illness, there are good days and there are bad days. But it’s not just the physical aches and pains that hurt you. A significant 89% of survey respondents said their chronic health condition affects their mood, too, with 59% reporting that it impacts their mental state “often” or “almost always.” These findings underscore the profound emotional burden that chronic illness can impose on daily life, and sync with numerous major studies showing the link between mood disorders like depression and chronic conditions. For instance, one study in the International Journal of Nursing Sciences found that, while rates of depression in the general population in the U.S. are about 6%, those numbers skyrocket to more than 40% for those living with diabetes or heart disease, while over 80% of people diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) also have depression, according to the study.
2. Daily Stress Levels Are High
Stress is a constant companion for many living with chronic conditions. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of those surveyed describe their daily stress levels as “moderate“ or worse, with 12% feeling “constantly stressed” and overwhelmed. This stress isn’t just an occasional nuisance; for many, it’s nagging and ever-present. What’s more, 41% of respondents reported that more than half of the stress they experienced in the past week was due to their health condition. For 17%, that disease-driven stress accounted for more than 75% of their weekly total.
3. Symptom Management Is the Biggest Stressor
When asked about the primary source of their stress, more than half (54%) of respondents pointed to managing symptoms as their biggest challenge. Other stressors include health setbacks (13%) and medical costs (6%). Things get even trickier when you add all of these chronic-related stressors to the top general stressors faced by Americans—which, according to the American Institute of Stress, include living conditions, the political climate, financial insecurity, and work issues.
4. Sleep Disruption Is Common
Stress is keeping many of you up at night. Sixty percent of survey participants said they have difficulty sleeping due to stress related to their chronic condition. This stress vs. sleep conundrum is nothing novel. According to research from the American Psychological Association, most Americans would be happier and healthier if they were able to squeeze in an extra 60 to 90 minutes of sleep per night. Meanwhile, the stress/sleep relationship works both ways: While stress from your chronic condition can cause you to lose sleep, lack of sleep can result in higher levels of next-day stress, thus perpetuating the cycle, according to research in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.
5. Support Systems Are Lacking
Even though research shows that people with strong social support tend to be more resilient when confronting stressful situations, more than half (53%) of respondents reported not having a solid network of family, friends, or health care providers to help them cope with all that life throws their way. This lack of support can compound the stress of managing a chronic condition, making the journey even more difficult.
6. Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms Are Common
French fries and Friends reruns won’t cure your rheumatoid arthritis, but sometimes they’re all that will take the sting out of chronic illness stress. At least that what our survey suggests: To deal with stress, many respondents admit to turning to less-than-ideal coping strategies. Thirty-nine percent binge-watch TV, 33% overeat, and 21% drink alcohol to manage their stress. These behaviors, while understandable, can lead to further health complications.
7. Exercise and Reading Are Top Stress Relievers
On a positive note, nearly half (45%) of respondents find exercise to be a helpful stress reliever, and 43% turn to reading as a coping mechanism. Other popular activities include meditation or deep breathing (33%) and talking to a therapist (21%). These healthy practices are crucial for maintaining mental and physical health in the face of chronic illness.
At the end of the day, few people would argue with the fact that living with a chronic health condition is undeniably stressful—and our survey highlights just how all-encompassing that stress can be. Whether it’s managing symptoms, dealing with the emotional toll, or lacking adequate support, the challenges are no joke.
But there is also hope: Many in our community are finding ways to cope, whether through exercise, reading, or seeking professional help. If you’re struggling with stress related to your condition, know that you’re not alone—consider discussing your stress with your health care provider to explore additional strategies for relief, and visit our chronic community on Facebook or Instagram for more “we get you” vibes that only others walking in your chronic shoes can provide.
Visit The American Institute of Stress
Causes of Stress: The American Institute of Stress. (n.d.) “Stress Research.” https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/sleep
Stress and Sleep: American Psychological Association. (2013.) “Stress and Sleep.” https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/sleep
Social Support: PloS ONE. (2021.) “What is good grief support? Exploring the actors and actions in social support after traumatic grief.” https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0252324
