Episode 60: The COVID-19 Blues - It‘s OK to ask for help

This week, join your patient co-hosts Kelly Conway and Rick Phillips and special guest Heather Kenjorski for a frank discussion about mental health, AiArthritis patients, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Kelly is a co-founder of AiArthritis and the author of the blog As My Joints Turn: My Autoimmune Soap Opera, as well as a recurring co-host for AiArthritis Voices 360. Rick is the founder of RA Diabetes, a website devoted to people who have both Rheumatoid Arthritis and Type I Diabetes and a returning AiArthritis Voices 360 co-host. You can check out Rick’s recent appearance in Episode 48: Support, which also tackled issues relating to mental and emotional wellness. Heather is a licensed social worker who has experience treating AiArthritis and other chronically ill patients dealing with depression and anxiety. 

On February 21, 2021 Kelly wrote a very poignant blog post titled “Not A Me Too Moment” where she spoke very openly about her battle with depression resulting from chronic illness and how the tragedies she has experienced during the pandemic have led to her depression being out of control at the current time. In response to this blog post, Rick shared that he too has been in treatment for many years for depression. They decided to get together and bring in a professional to discuss this topic in more detail for the benefit of all the people listening to the show who may also be experiencing depression, especially those who are not currently seeking help from the medical community for their struggles.

We invite you to pull up a chair and listen in as Kelly and Rick share deeply personal information about their lives that many people avoid discussing due to the stigma attached to mental health. Together with Heather, they will discuss the bravery inherent in asking for help when you need it, how to go about getting help if you think you might benefit from having someone to talk to about your issues, how to recognize when you or someone else may be struggling, and what resources exist for people who are having difficulty accessing mental health treatment. This is an important episode, and you don’t want to miss it.

 

If you are a patient, a parent of a juvenile patient, or any other stakeholder (doctor, nurse, researcher, industry representative, or other health services person) - are you ready to join the conversation? It's your turn to pull up a seat. Join our new AiArthritis Voices program, where people living with AiArthritis diseases and other stakeholders who we need 'at the table' to solve problems that impact education, advocacy, and research sign up to have a voice in our initiatives. By signing up, you’ll get notified of opportunities to be more involved with this show - including submitting post-episode comments and gaining insider information on future show topics. Patients and all other stakeholders are encouraged to join so we can match you with opportunities to pull up a seat and TOGETHER - as equals - solve the problems of today and tomorrow.

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AiArthritis Voices 360 is produced by the International Foundation for Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Arthritis. Visit us on the web at www.aiarthritis.org/talkshow. Find us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook (@ifAiArthritis) or email us (podcast@aiarthritis.org).

 

Episode 60: Depression

 

00:52 - Kelly welcomes listeners.

01:30 - Kelly is joined by fellow patient co-host, Rick Phillips and licensed social worker, Heather Kenjorski. 

3:03 - Today’s topic is depression among people living with AiArthritis diseases, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

04:45 - Today’s episode was inspired by Kelly’s blog post titled “Not a Me Too Moment” on her blog As My Joints Turn: My Autoimmune Soap Opera.

07:10 - Rick wants people to know that medication and talk therapy can help, and there is no need to suffer in silence.

07:15 - Heather, have you seen an increase in patients experiencing depression since the onset of the pandemic?

07:40 - Many of the coping mechanisms suggested for people struggling with depression and anxiety are not possible during the pandemic which has led to an increase in isolation and feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

08:18 - Staying home and quarantining exacerbated people’s existing struggles with depression and anxiety.

10:40 - One study presented at ACR 2020 found that some Lupus patients felt better emotionally at the start of the pandemic because the entire community was experiencing life the way they usually do (avoiding germs, curbside pickup, etc).

12:30 - Some AiArthritis patients experienced extreme emotional stress from being forced to go to work during the pandemic when they felt it was safer to stay home.

16:04 - Heather what are some of the signs and symptoms of depression? 

16:31 - People are very skilled at putting on a brave face, so you can’t rely on their outward appearance.

16:52 - Signs of depression may be a loss of interest in things someone used to enjoy like activities, eating, or communicating with others.

17:18 - Sudden loss of appetite or eating much more than normal can both be signs of depression.

17:39 - Fatigue or having no desire to engage with people can be a sign.

17:45 - Depressed people may not take care of themselves like getting dressed, showering, or brushing their teeth.

18:03 - If you can’t look forward to things or feel hopeless, that could be a sign of depression.

18:44 - Anger can also be a symptom of depression.

19:46 - Depression is not a sign of weakness, and life gets better after treatment.

22:30 - Some therapy practices are full right now because so many people are seeking mental health assistance.

23:11 - Heather, do you find that people have a difficult time admitting that they need help?

23:40 - There is definitely still a stigma attached to receiving therapy, and it’s a shame because it keeps people from getting the help that they need.

25:02 - It is courageous to get therapy and address your issues.

25:10 - To stay in a miserable state of mind is not strength.

29:36 - Caretakers often experience serious depression and have limited avenues for emotional support outside of therapy.

30:29 - Heather do you have any other tools (besides medicine and talk therapy) that you find useful in helping people battling depression?

31:06 - Self-care is key for everyone, and it’s something people aren’t necessarily very good at doing.

32:11 - Journaling is a great way to get in touch with your own feelings.

33:02 - Meditation, deep-breathing exercises, and physical movement are all important aspects of self-care.

37:49 - The more people try to avoid their own negative thoughts, the more powerful those thoughts become so learning to meditate and be present with your own thoughts - even if they aren’t comfortable thoughts - can be very important to mental wellness.

39:03 - It may be helpful to remember that depression is not a permanent state; it will end.

40:14 - Chronic illness isn’t the end of the world, but it is a different way of living in the world.

42:30 - How can we help our community identify when they may need help or find help for people who cannot afford mental health assistance?

43:07 - Many communities have assistance for people who cannot afford private therapy, but you need to reach out to your local mental health advocates, mental health society, family services, local hospitals, or even private doctors and ask what is available in your area.

45:08 - Virtual appointments are now available because of the pandemic which has opened many doors for people who lacked transportation to appointments.

49:51 - Like us or message us on social media @IFAiArthritis on all platforms to stay informed and involved or email us at podcast@aiarthritis.org

50:33 - Find all our episodes on our website at aiarthrits.org/talkshow

51:08 - You can reach Rick at info@RADiabetes.com or follow Rick’s blogs at ankylosingspondylitis.net and rheumatoidarthritis.net

51:49 - Please be part of the continued conversation at aiarthrisvoices.org.

52:03 - Kelly thanks her co-hosts and the listeners.

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