Maintaining your emotional wellbeing

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cTTP can be emotionally challenging at times

Everyone experiences emotions such as sadness, stress, and anger occasionally.1 However, these feelings can cause difficulties if they persist. Aside from affecting your overall quality of life, you may find it harder to cope with your disease and keep up with your treatment regimen.2 The good news is that there are lots of things you can do to help maintain your emotional wellbeing.

Living with a long-term health condition may make you experience difficult emotions3,4 

Four people each with a circular pale blue background. The first, a man in a green shirt looking confused with squiggly circular lines above his head. The second, a woman looking sad, wearing a red top, with green and red plants growing from her head. The third, a woman crying, wearing a white top, with a thunderstorm above her head. The fourth, a woman in a blue hoodie looking angry with yellow white, red and blue question marks and shapes coming from her head.
  • Anxiety and fear: Feeling uncertain or apprehensive about the future.
  • Depression: Feeling sad about some of the adjustments now needed in life.
  • Anger: Feeling frustrated by the disruption or “unfairness” to any life goals, relationships, or daily routines.
  • Guilt: Feelings (or the perception) of being a “burden” to loved ones.
  • Stress: Feeling overwhelmed at the demands of navigating daily life with cTTP.

Keeping your emotional health on track

Many activities can promote emotional health. Developing these skills is an ongoing process that requires commitment on your part. Remember that practicing little and often is considered better than practicing for long periods every once in a while. Practice any of the techniques below that appeal to you.

Four people each with a circular pale blue background. The first, a man in a red top looking content with photographs, a pen, a notepad, a heart and a smiley face on his head. The second, a woman looking content, wearing a green top, with pink flowers growing from her head. The third, a woman looking content, wearing a yellow top, with a hot cup of coffee, an open book, the moon and a woman running above her head. The fourth, a man in a brown suit looking content with a lightbulb, cogs, and a jigsaw piece
A yellow lightbulb with a green background.
Quick Tip

Working on skills to build emotional health when you are feeling mentally strong can help build up “reservoirs” of emotional strength during challenging times.

  • Mindfulness and meditation: Deep breathing exercises, guided meditation, and present-moment awareness.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) skills: CBT can help identify and challenge negative thought patterns. It allows for the reframing of perspectives and the development of more positive and constructive ways of thinking about a situation.5
  • Stress management strategies: Techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, or gratitude practice can help manage stress.6,7
  • Building a support network: Social support can help buffer negative emotions.8 You can find out more about building and maintaining your social life here.

Do you want to start developing some skills to promote your emotional health now? Click here for some exercises you can try.

Further reading

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Maintaining a healthy lifestyle 

Learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices when living with cTTP.

A man wearing a white top and blue trousers is dancing with a woman wearing an orange top and blue trousers. The woman has jumped in the air.

Maintaining your social wellbeing 

Learn how you can keep socially active to avoid feelings of loneliness or isolation.

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The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any concerns or questions you may have regarding your medical condition or treatment.

References

  1. Very Well Mind. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/an-overview-of-the-types-of-emotions-4163976. Accessed August 2024.
  2. Jin J, et al. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008;4(1):269–86.
  3. National Institute of Mental Health. Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/chronic-illness-mental-health. Accessed August 2024.
  4. Patient. Available at: https://patient.info/news-and-features/how-a-chronic-illness-affects-your-mental-health. Accessed August 2024.
  5. NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/self-help-cbt-techniques/. Accessed August 2024.
  6. Toussaint L, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021;2021:5924040.
  7. CDC. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/howrightnow/gratitude/index.html. Accessed August 2024.
  8. Guo T, et al. Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:957382.