The Seated View

People who live with arthritis experience anxiety and depression at a higher rate than the general population. [1] I am one of those people, both in terms of the arthritis and the mental health issues. Over my 50-year “career” with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) I have spent a lot of time feeling depressed. Like the 30% of the people with RA who are depressed , I have also thought of suicide. Living with high levels of chronic pain and progressive disability can really do a number on your head. I am happy to say that I haven’t been depressed in a really long time. In fact, I’ve been feeling really good from a mental health perspective. And then there was that sidetrack of a medical adventure last Spring that is now reacquainting me with anxiety and has introduced me to life with PTSD . It’s always something… Mental health and physical health cannot be separated. They exist together and it is important to pay attention to both of them, especially when you live with a chron...

I got a question on my Facebook page about how to practice self-care way as a blogger, community or Facebook group moderator or, group member. Sue said “ I love my little group and mostly find it rewarding and supportive but at times I find it overwhelming.”  Being a chronic illness blogger or group moderator is a passion project. Connecting with the community of others like you, sharing support and information can be one of the most meaningful things you can do. via GIPHY It also never stops. The Internet happens 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and there’s always more you can do to. But when you have a chronic illness, it’s already taking up a fair amount of your time. In fact, I have often argued that it’s a full-time job. And now you’re supposed to add all this online stuff? No one ever talks about how exhausting it is. If you want to last and to continue loving what you do, it is essential to take care of yourself. Here are five tips for self-care when ...