Award Winning Booklet on Coping With Emotions
Arthritis Ireland have won the award for the 'Best Patient Education Project' at the recent Irish Healthcare Awards 2009 for its 'Coping With Emotions' booklet.
In response to the findings of a survey on the impact of arthritis on people's emotions, Arthritis Ireland has produced a new booklet called 'Coping With Emotions' that offers support and guidance on dealing with these emotions.
This booklet is available by contacting Arthritis Ireland on LoCall 1890 252 846 or can be downloaded here.
Half of those living with arthritis are “too sore to socialise”
The first nationwide survey on patient well being and relationships, conducted by Arthritis Ireland and sponsored by Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals (Ireland), shows one in two (48%) people with arthritis can no longer participate in social activities they used to enjoy, while one in three (30%) are worried about how their condition has affected their appearance. The survey, which was conducted among 128 people with arthritis in seven rheumatology clinics around the country throughout 2008, shows the debilitating effect of arthritis on people as everyday life becomes difficult or impossible to maintain.
Emotional Well Being
The survey gives an insight into the emotional well being of people with arthritis, revealing that one in three (31%) say they are sad and depressed while two in five (40%) admit that sometimes it is hard to keep going and that their arthritis is a constant worry for them. One respondent declared, “I feel like arthritis has changed me from a normally positive, healthy person to a depressed, lonely, fed-up, irritable person finding it hard to keep it together.”
Relationships
Respondents who were in relationships discussed the impact that their arthritis has had on their relationship. Two in five (40%) believe their condition has had a negative impact on intimacy with their spouse or partner, with some stating they no longer have an active sex life. One respondent said, “We no longer have an active sex life but cuddling is also a bit curtailed which I regret.” Noticeably, for those respondents who are separated, divorced or living apart, one in two (50%) believe their arthritis was a contributing factor to their relationship break-up.
What is Inflammatory Arthritis?
Inflammatory arthritis (IA) is a chronic, debilitating inflammatory disease that effects 40,000 people in Ireland. Intense, severe pain and joint swelling leads to immobility and lack of sleep, which in turn leads to fatigue, despair, frustration and depression. Many people with arthritis can’t work, can’t socialise with family and friends, can’t run their own homes and can’t even play with their children. The isolation that can result devastates lives. Of those surveyed, two in five (40%) say it is difficult for them to do basic household chores such as “opening a tetra pack carton” or “being able to put a nappy on my child.”
Although 2 in 5 (39.1%) of those surveyed worry their arthritis is a burden for their children, 2 out of 3 (64.8%) agree their children have a good understanding of their IA and 3 out of 4 (72.7%) say their children are not embarrassed by their IA.
Results of the survey show one in two (44.3%) are in pain every day; however, it would appear that people with arthritis have strong support at home and amongst the medical community. Evidently more than one in two (55%) feel comfortable talking to their spouse or partner and two in five (42%) feel comfortable talking with their GP. Also, a number of respondents commented on the relief that their medication provides them “since going on my medication, I have almost no pain.”
Commenting on the results of the survey the Chief Executive of Arthritis Ireland, John Church stated, “Arthritis touches every aspect of a person’s life. The survey shows how the physical effects of the disease such as pain, reduced mobility and depression can manifest in social isolation, which affects people with arthritis and their relationships with their spouse or partner, children, friends and work colleagues.”
Hope
“However, the survey also offers hope in that two in three say their spouse or partner has a good understanding of their arthritis and in some instances that the illness has brought them closer together. It is this kind of understanding that is required of our society and we encourage people with arthritis to seek this support if they feel in anyway sad, lonely or isolated.”
Ms. Alexia Grier, Clinical Nurse Specialist at St. Vincent’s University Hospital said at the launch, “The results show how the physical health of people living with arthritis has a real bearing on their mental health and emotional well being. Often our confidence, happiness and feelings of self worth are wrapped up in the relationships we share and the memories we create and, for those people living with arthritis, it is no different.”
Commenting on the research, Ms. Anne Daly, Product Manager with Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) said, “This research aims to highlight the real hardship felt and experienced by people with arthritis and the ongoing challenges they face to sustain a normal, everyday life. The results show many people with arthritis feel alone or isolated and we hope they will be inspired to get help and reach out to support groups such as Arthritis Ireland and focus on a solution.”
Arthritis Not a Disease of the Elderly
It is a common misconception that arthritis is a disease of the elderly; however this survey shows that the majority of people with arthritis are young and that the disease is impacting on their relationships, with over four in five (83%) of those surveyed under the age of 65 and two in five (42%) under the age of 50.
If you are having difficulty with your emotions, please contact Arthritis Ireland’s helpline on LoCall 1890 252 846 between 10am and 4pm Monday – Friday.
Would you like to see a full copy of the research findings? Please click here