Hello I'm Susan

Susan_1971

I'm new to this group so please bear with me lol. I have osteoarthritis in right ankle both knees, both hips my neck as well as three slipped discs one which is pinching my spinal chord. What is impacting me most is my mental health. How do people cope with it.

Anna

Hello @Susan_1971 ,

Welcome to the online community. I hope you find support from our members, who are all, like you, living with arthritis in some way.

The pain of arthritis doesn't always just affect our joints, it affects our emotional well being too. You ask how people cope with the impact arthritis has on mental health, and I'm sure you'll hear from others who will be able to tell you of what works for them and how they look after themselves, body and mind.

There are several posts from people about how they deal with depression and mental health. I've linked to one below that you might like to read:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/55157/depression

There are also stories on the VA website of how members have coped with mental health issues brought on because of their arthritis and what support they've received:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/october/how-does-arthritis-affect-mental-health-two-people-tell-us/

If you want to talk to a friendly and supportive member of Versus Arthritis, there's someone always available on the Helpline, from 10am-6pm Monday to Friday. Here's their number: 0800 5200 520

Remember that you are not alone here but are among friends,

Best wishes, Anna (Mod)