Last Wednesday, pop singer and television producer, Selena Gomez was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. She is told to have suffered a panic attack after a recent health setback related to her two recent hospitalizations for “low blood cell count” post-kidney transplant. Gomez has Lupus and underwent a kidney transplant in September of 2017 because of Lupus-related complications.

Selena Gomez has been open about her struggles with Lupus–a chronic illness that causes –and with mental health since 2015. Early in 2018, Gomez received outpatient psychiatric treatment to address anxiety. However, Gomez is not the only person whose mental health has suffered as a result of dealing with a chronic illness.

Chronic Illness and Depression

Chronic illnesses of all kinds can cause or worsen depression in the following ways:

  • Increased feelings of isolation
    • Taking off more time from work, school & social events for treatment and self-care
    • Feeling like no one understands your condition
  • Increased fatigue in some chronic illnesses may make depression-related fatigue worse
  • Inflammation symptoms (in some chronic illnesses such as Lupus) which have some evidence pointing to causing or worsening depression
  • Enhanced life, work, financial, and relationship stressors as a result of the chronic illness

Taking control of your mental health can be one piece of dealing with a chronic illness and your overall health. Doctor Heals Mind has a variety of treatments available for depression and other mental health issues. Please check out our depression treatment page to find a solution that best fits your needs.

Source: “Selena Gomez’s Hospitalization Highlights a Problem With The Way We Treat Chronic Illness and Mental Health” by Julia Metraux, The Mighty via Yahoo! LifeStyle

By: Gabby Lundy, Exult Healthcare

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