The year before my hike, I was extremely busy with various ACR workforce issues; meetings; presentations, locally, regionally and nationally; juggling medical missions and more. However, I had blocked time in my calendar over one year in advance to hike the Camino de Santiago in Spain with a long-time U.S. Army buddy. I met Pat…
Regaining a sense of control, limiting responsibilities and engaging in mindfulness can help rheumatologists manage their mental health needs. Rheumatologists should also address the mental health concerns raised by their patients. Here are insights from a psychiatrist/rheumatologist.
Research suggests that patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have a greater risk of depression, anxiety and, in some cases, substance abuse and dependence than the general population, yet symptoms often go unrecognized and untreated by medical professionals. Both psoriasis and PsA are associated with depression, with up to 30% of patients in either…
During a series of interviews with patients who have systemic lupus erythematosus, issues related to medication side effects, supplement use, depression and support groups arose, as well as concerns about race and activities of daily living. The interviews gave me a better understanding of what patients with lupus wish their physicians knew. I am grateful…
Because rheumatologists and mental health experts both treat patients with depression, anxiety, pain, disability and sleep disorders, provider cross-training may benefit patients and providers themselves. “When a patient has active psychosocial distress, this has a negative effect on their physical function. Similarly, if a patient has active physical symptoms, like a rheumatoid arthritis flare, this…
The ACR-supported Breen Act will provide resources for mental health services and programs for healthcare professionals to reduce burnout and prevent suicide.
It is nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. and the third wave is upon us, overwhelming hospital systems in many states across the country. But the alarms are being sounded for another looming pandemic as well. As early as spring 2020, significant increases were documented in the prevalence of depression and anxiety,…
The new landscape for rheumatologists includes telemedicine, kids out of school and infection-prevention protocols. During the current pandemic, the practice of medicine, research and daily lives are changing to keep providers and patients safe…
Evidence suggesting common inflammatory pathways in RA and depression is increasing. However, this study found that improved physical health through pharmacologic treatment does not by itself improve mental health. …
New research evaluated the effect of depression on the cognition of fibromyalgia patients, finding that these patients have a distinct cognitive profile. Researchers note that emotional symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, are essential to the cognitive performance of fibromyalgia patients and that treating these symptoms may reduce cognitive impairment…