THE IMPACT OF CHRONIC MEDICAL ILLNESSES ON MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT

There is a bidirectional relationship between chronic medical illnesses and mental health. People who suffer from chronic illnesses are at an increased risk of developing mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, and cognitive impairment. On the hand other, mental illnesses like schizophrenia increase the risk of developing chronic medical illnesses like cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. It is therefore important to provide holistic care to these patients through collaboration of different types of healthcare providers to address the wellbeing of both the minds and bodies of patients. The article also addresses the barriers to psychological treatment for people with chronic medical illnesses.