When chronic illness has a sudden onset, like in the case of a heart attack, it is possible for PTSD or PTSD-adjacent symptoms to occur.  This is due in part to the experience of cumulative trauma during onset or an episode of chronic illness.  

Chronic illness and PTSD

When a person is diagnosed with a physical chronic illness, due to the limitations caused as a result of pain, work absences, activity reduction, and temporary disabilities, there can be a co-morbid presentation of mental illnesses such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). 

Chronic Illness and Major Depressive Disorder

When patients have AS and chronic health conditions, the former exacerbates the latter since it induces fear, and therefore, vulnerability to symptoms of the physical conditions. 


AS and Fear of Physical Chronic Conditions

Older adults with a higher rate of untreated depression experienced negative outcomes with overcoming physical ailments like cancer and heart disease. A person’s immunity is also lessened, compromising their ability to fight infections.

Co-Morbid Mental Illness in Geriatric Adults 

Common co-morbid conditions include heart attack, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, high blood cholesterol, asthma, arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic lung disease, cancer or malignant tumor, stomach or duodenal ulcer, Parkinson's, cataract, and hip fracture or femoral fracture. 

Co-Morbid Physical Illness in Geriatric Adults

Himelein, M. J., & Thatcher, S. S. (2006). Polycystic ovary syndrome and mental health: A review. Obstetrical & gynecological survey, 61(11), 723–732. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ogx.0000243772.33357.84 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Mental Health: A Review

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that occurs commonly in women. It is studied that this condition is associated with several mental health conditions, including but not limited to; anxiety, depression, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, sexual dissatisfaction, and an overall lesser quality of life. Among all of these mental health issues/disorders, depression symptoms occur the most in patients with PCOS. 

PCOS and Mental Health

Chaudhari, A. P., Mazumdar, K., &amp; Mehta, P. D. (2018). Anxiety, depression, and quality of life in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 40(3), 239–246. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpsym.ijpsym_561_17 

Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Women
with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

A research study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Hospital to determine the occurrence of anxiety and depression symptoms in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This study evaluated seventy females (18-45 years old) who reside in India and have been diagnosed with PCOS and had no prior psychiatric diagnoses. The results of this study showed a sample of PCOS patients with symptoms of infertility and alopecia being related to anxiety, symptoms of acne being related to depression, and symptoms of hirsutism being related to a lesser psychological overall quality of life.

PCOS Symptomatology versus Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life

A research study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Hospital to determine the occurrence of anxiety and depression symptoms in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS symptomatology versus Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life

Studies have found illnesses that occur along with fibromyalgia may include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), anxiety and depressive disorders, rheumatic diseases, and many more.

Fibromyalgia and Co-Morbid Illnesses

References for Co-Morbid Illnesses

Research has shown that diagnosed childhood separation anxiety disorder may be associated with a heightened risk for the development of other disorders, such as panic disorder, in adulthood.

Separation Anxiety and Panic Disorder

A syndemic, (also known as a synergistic epidemic) is the aggregation of two or more concurrent or sequential epidemics or disease clusters in a population with biological interactions, which exacerbate the prognosis and burden of disease. 

Syndemic

Depression and panic disorder are significantly more common in individuals with pelvic pain conditions. Anxiety and depression may be more difficult to treat in patients with urological pain syndromes, even with psychotropic medications.

Interstitial Cystitis and Mental Health

Bipolar disorder is frequently accompanied by metabolic disorders, which are conditions that worsen psychiatric symptoms and treatment outcomes but are often overlooked in psychiatric care. Recent research suggests a bidirectional relationship via biological pathways including insulin signaling and energy metabolism. The article calls for a paradigm shift towards personalized, multidisciplinary care models that incorporate metabolic assessments.

The Overlooked Role of Metabolic Disorders in Bipolar Disorder

Co-morbid illnesses refer to two or more conditions presenting simultaneously in a person. Co-morbid illnesses can occur as only physical conditions, mental conditions, or a combination of both.

Santa Clara University

Cleveland State University

- Physical Chronic Disease
- Mental Chronic Disease
- Comorbid Chronic Disease

Forms of Chronic Diseases

Stein, M., Cox, B., Afifi, T., Belik, S.-L., &amp; Sareen, J. (2006). Does Co-Morbid Depressive Illness Magnify the Impact of Chronic Physical Illness? A Population-Based Perspective. Psychological Medicine, 36, 587–596. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291706007239 

Does co-morbid depressive illness magnify the impact of chronic physical illness?
A population-based perspective

Physical chronic diseases/disorders limit mobility and most often occur as a result of an anatomical problem(s) within the body. Common chronic physical illnesses include asthma, arthritis, back problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart problems, and diabetes. 

Physical Chronic Diseases

Co-Morbid Illness

Also called psychological disorders, these are disorders rooted in mental thought patterns that impair the person's functioning, with specific disorders having their own disgnostic criteria. 

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