Do you live with a chronic illness or a chronic health condition? Does somebody in your family face chronic illness? In many cases, the symptoms of a chronic diseases such as cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes, lupus or other diseases can be debilitating. Pain, fatigue, muscle aches, muscle weakness, loss of vision and other symptoms are not always visible to the people that love and care for you.
Regardless of the severity of your condition, Dr. Franco’s goal is to help you enjoy a higher quality of life.
Chronic illness can lead to depression
In many cases, chronic health challenges encourage feelings of loss, loneliness and isolation. The result, for many people, is depression. In fact, depression is one of the most common complications of living with a chronic illness. In turn, depression can make it more difficult for you to function and manage your chronic condition.
If you recognize signs of depression, you should reach out for help. Difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, negative thoughts, sadness, hopelessness, and overall lack of energy can be indicators of depression. Psychotherapy that addresses both your depression and your feelings about your chronic illness can be effective.
In therapy you can learn new ways of functioning.
