If you have Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), you may be experiencing feelings of sadness, anxiety, and fatigue. This is common for many people living with this chronic liver disease. Understanding the physical effects of the disease can help you manage the impact it has on your mental health.
Why does PBC affect mental health so much?
There are several reasons why you may feel tired and unwell due to PBC. Let's take a look at what they are. Simply put, it's a relationship between the body and the mind. What affects one inevitably affects the other.
Think about it, our body is a collection of many parts that work together. The liver is one of its main 'filters'. When something goes wrong with this filter, it affects the entire system, especially our control center, the brain.
These reasons can be clearly understood from the table below.
| Influencing reason | Simply put, what happens? |
|---|---|
| Toxins that accumulate in the body | PBC damages the bile ducts in the liver. This prevents the liver from properly filtering and removing toxins from the body. These toxins can travel through the blood and accumulate in the brain. This condition is called Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) . This causes an imbalance in the chemicals in the brain that transmit messages, called neurotransmitters , and can make you feel confused, confused, and forgetful. |
| Severe itching | Another major symptom of this disease is itching, or pruritus . Itching all day long can be very stressful. It can be difficult to think clearly. Especially at night, when the itching gets worse, it can be difficult to sleep properly. It is not uncommon to be irritable and depressed all day long when you don't get enough sleep. |
| Stress due to long-term illness | You may be constantly worrying, wondering, "What happened to me?" and "Will this ever get better?" Living with a long-term illness is a huge mental stressor. When this stress continues, it can negatively affect your physical health. It's like a vicious cycle. |
Common mental and emotional symptoms associated with PBC
There are several common symptoms associated with PBC that can affect your mental and emotional well-being. It is important to be aware of these.
Daytime Fatigue
This is one of the main and most common symptoms of PBC. Even if you think you've slept well at night, you may feel unbearably tired during the day. This fatigue is so bad that you may not feel like doing your normal daily activities, talking to a friend, or being social. As you gradually withdraw from society, you begin to feel lonely, isolated, and sad .
Sleep Disturbances
People with PBC may have trouble sleeping. Experts aren't sure exactly why this happens. But one study found that about 85% of people with PBC have sleep problems or feel uninspired when they wake up in the morning.
Depression and Anxiety
With a chronic disease like PBC that progresses over time, you may experience feelings of purposelessness, emotional distress, and a general decrease in quality of life. If these feelings persist, they may progress to mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety .
Remember, it's normal for you to feel these feelings. It's not a weakness on your part, it's part of the illness itself.
Is there no help for these mental symptoms?
There are definitely ways to cope with the psychological symptoms of PBC, and there are things you can do yourself.
1. First and foremost: talk to your doctor
Talk to your doctor about your feelings without hiding anything . Be open about your fatigue, sadness, and anxiety. He or she can then suggest ways to treat your problems, or refer you for other specialist help if necessary.
2. Inform your doctor about any new exercises or supplements.
If you're thinking about starting a new exercise routine or taking any supplements, such as vitamins or herbs, be sure to tell your doctor about it, as some may not be compatible with you or your current medications.
Some things you can do yourself (with medical advice)
After discussing it with your doctor and getting his approval, you can try some of these things:
- Light exercise: Taking a short walk every day or engaging in light exercises like yoga can provide a good boost to both the body and the mind.
- Relaxation and Mindfulness: Things like deep breathing exercises and meditation can help reduce stress.
- Get a good night's sleep: Keep a consistent bedtime. Stop using your phone and watching TV about an hour before bed. If itching is disrupting your sleep, talk to your doctor about treatment.
- A balanced diet: Eating a nutritious diet is very important for both physical strength and mental health.
- Maintain social connections: Even if you're tired, talk to a trusted friend or family member. Share your feelings. Don't be alone.
Take-Home Message
- PBC is a condition that affects both the body and the mind.
- The extreme fatigue, anxiety, and sadness you feel are part of the illness itself, not your weakness.
- This is mainly caused by toxins accumulating in the body, itchy skin, and mental stress caused by long-term illness.
- If you need help, the most important and first step to take is to talk openly with your doctor.
- Do not start any new exercise, dietary supplement, or treatment without medical advice.
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