| Depression is a most common side effect of | | | | any disease are less likely to develop depression, that |
| osteoarthritis. This occurs when you start out healthy, | | | | is, those who deal with their osteoarthritis are less likely |
| being able to do things for yourself, but overtime you | | | | to sink into depression. Be proactive at solving your |
| are less able to take care of yourself as the pains get | | | | problem, and try to be as flexible with your daily |
| worse. Research has shown that up to twenty | | | | activities as possible. Be ready to modify your lifestyle |
| percent of people with osteoarthritis are depressed at | | | | in a positive way, thereby winning the battle over |
| any given time, a percentage consistent with that | | | | depression. |
| found in other people with chronic diseases. | | | | 4 Get Social Support |
| If osteoarthritis has left you depressed, there are a | | | | It is advisable for you to join a support group where |
| number of things you can do in addition to the arthritis | | | | you can find sympathetic ears and get some advice |
| treatment you get from your doctor. | | | | on coping with your condition. |
| 1 Psychotherapy | | | | 5 Learn to Relax |
| This is often referred to as the 'talking cure', and it is | | | | Always find a way to cool off and reduce your stress. |
| used to treat mild episodes of depression. | | | | The best defense against stress is a positive attitude. |
| 2 Drug Therapy | | | | Stress itself may not cause depression but can make |
| This is the use of drugs to improve the symptoms of | | | | it worse. It signals certain glands to release high-voltage |
| depression. The class of drugs used for this purpose is | | | | chemicals that can 'shock' the body and weaken the |
| called antidepressants. It is advisable to consult your | | | | immune system, making your osteoarthritis symptoms |
| doctor before taking any antidepressant because | | | | seem worse while increasing your risk of getting some |
| medicines used in treating depression sometimes have | | | | other disease. |
| different side effects. | | | | Do anything you can to relax and shake off the |
| Psychotherapy and drug therapy are mostly combined | | | | stress- listening to music, meditating, or taking up a |
| to treat arthritis patients with depression, and this | | | | hobby. Getting enough sleep is also essential to |
| combined approach has advantages. | | | | reducing stress. |
| It reestablishes normal body patterns more quickly | | | | 6 Touch Therapy |
| It helps to ensure compliance in taking medication | | | | Research has shown that touch can reduce |
| It recognizes the dual influence of biology and | | | | psychological stress associated with arthritis. And only |
| environment. | | | | a very soft touch is required as bear hugs may be too |
| 3 Learn to cope with your condition | | | | much for many osteoarthritis sufferers. A gentle, loving |
| Research has shown that those who cope best with | | | | touch can be very beneficial in fighting arthritis. |