Managing the pain of a ruptured appendix or broken bone, as well as the inconvenience it might bring, is challenging. However, at least there is light at the end of the tunnel. Once your appendix or bone heals, you can go back to normal. However, the same cannot be said for osteoporosis, arthritis, heart failure, hypertension, genital herpes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and other chronic conditions.
Without any cure available, they usually last a lifetime and severely impact a person’s mental health. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer may make an individual more likely to have or develop a mental condition.
Considering that roughly six in ten adults have a chronic disease, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are more needed than ever in helping patients manage the intricacies of their illnesses. PHMNPs are trained professionals who support and assist patients with integrating chronic illness management in several ways.
Providing emotional counseling
Patients dealing with a chronic illness experience more than the physical symptoms; they also deal with negative emotions such as fear, loneliness, grief, confusion and anxiety. PHMNPs can provide comprehensive emotional counseling to help patients deal with difficult emotions and ensure they do not hinder their healing. Mental health nurse practitioners can enroll in the Rockhurst University online MSN-PMHNP program to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The online program is designed to fully equip students with relevant knowledge about social, cultural, and economic forces that affect their patient’s mental health and the skills to communicate effectively with their patients in a manner that encourages open dialogue.
By acknowledging the factors influencing the patient’s overall health, PMHNPs can promote positive mental and emotional well-being while increasing the likelihood of quicker physical recovery from illnesses, surgeries and medical treatments.
Using this one-on-one approach, PMHNPs can gain a more in-depth understanding of the patient’s challenges. They can then establish realistic and sustainable chronic disease management and coping strategies. By developing effective coping strategies, PMHNPs can help patients tolerate, reduce and deal with stressful life situations without undermining other components of their lives.
Offering psychoeducation on disease management
The role of psychoeducational interventions in facilitating chronic disease adaptation is gaining significant traction among patient and nursing circles, and for a good reason. Through comprehensive psychoeducation on disease management, PMHNPs can help patients maintain the knowledge and commitment to live healthy and positive lives.
The reality is there are so many stigmas around chronic illnesses such as HIV. A recent World AIDS Day survey reveals over 70% of people living with HIV have experienced discrimination or stigma because of their status. Separate data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adds that HIV stigma and discrimination can adversely impact the emotional well-being and mental health of individuals living with HIV.
PHMNPs can provide psychoeducation on disease management by encouraging patients to discover information about their chronic illnesses. When patients understand the basic information about diagnoses and the role stress plays in exacerbating their symptoms, PHMNPs can prevent anxiety and depressive orders associated with chronic illnesses.
Establishing support networks
As chronic illnesses can become physically and emotionally taxing, having the support of social networks is essential in managing these conditions effectively. However, finding support networks can be challenging, especially if you are dealing with chronic illnesses such as HIV and genital herpes, which often have stigma surrounding them.
PHMNPs can establish support networks where patients with chronic illnesses can gain emotional support and a sense of belonging and connection. This is because peer support groups can encourage and offer practical advice as well as shared experiences that reduce feelings of isolation. More importantly, support networks can foster more robust social support that can lead to several benefits for people with chronic illnesses.
- Improved treatment adherence: When patients with chronic diseases have a robust support system in place, PHMNPs can increase the likelihood of them following treatment plans and engaging in healthier behaviors that can lead to better disease management.
- Empowerment: By encouraging individuals to participate in peer support groups, PMHNPs can empower them to take charge of their health and make educated decisions.
- Enhanced emotional well-Being:Social and peer support groups can help patients reduce stress, depression and anxiety associated with chronic illnesses. When patients are emotionally stable, they can reduce disease-related complications and improve their overall mental health.
As the challenges of dealing with chronic illnesses increase, implementing social support strategies rooted in behavioral science ensures better patient outcomes. Furthermore, it provides patients with improved access to resources that are otherwise unavailable when dealing with illnesses alone.
They encourage adaptive coping mechanisms
PHMNPs deal with patients holistically. By encouraging adaptive coping mechanisms, PHMNPs help patients decrease the side effects of stress. Contrary to popular belief, dealing with chronic pain is a continuous process that includes cognitive, emotional and behavioral coping mechanisms.
According to the National Library of Medicine, adaptive coping mechanisms can lead to lower depression, pain and flare-up activity rates among patients with chronic illnesses. This is because adaptive coping mechanisms use evidence-based strategies to help patients change the way they respond to stress.
Adaptive coping mechanisms which PHMNPs may suggest to patients with chronic diseases include venting, meditation, exercise and getting quality rest. When patients can manage stressful conditions and the associated emotional distress of dealing with chronic illnesses, they are more likely to become proactive in enhancing the quality of their lives which, in turn, leads to better treatment outcomes.
Living a healthy and fulfilling life amid chronic health challenges
Facing chronic health challenges head-on can be overwhelming and lead to emotional scenarios that a person may not want to experience. However, PHMNPs can provide emotional and mental relief from stress by offering evidence-based strategies that are designed to help people live a healthy and fulfilling life despite chronic health issues.
