Survey Reveals Huge Hidden Impact of Arthritis on Mental Wellbeing

The charity is sharing the findings to launch Wake up to Arthritis, a new campaign to raise awareness of the seriousness of the condition.

Arthritis affects one fifth of adults in the UK - that's 10 million people living with arthritis, with about 300,000 of those in Northern Ireland.

The survey shows that feelings of anxiety and depression are more common among those who experience severe pain and fatigue, who struggle with daily activities, and who have lost contact with friends or given up activities they enjoy

Key survey findings in Northern Ireland: a full report on the hidden impact of arthritis is available at: arthritiscare.org.uk/hiddenimpactpdf

• 83% (4 in 5) feel anxious or depressed because of their arthritis

• 82% have given up activities they enjoy

• Over half (55%) feel isolated or lonely because of their arthritis, with 50% having lost contact with friends 

• Only 45% felt able to manage their arthritis well 

• 67% struggle with daily activities like washing, dressing or making meals 

• 92% worry about how arthritis will affect their future independence 

Kate Fleck, Director of Arthritis Care Northern Ireland, says:

“Our survey results give an alarming insight into the huge emotional toll that living with arthritis is having on mental wellbeing.

“Arthritis is usually seen as a physical condition, however we know there’s a strong link with pain and anxiety, low mood and depression.  The pain of living with arthritis and coping with fatigue means that too many people give up the activities they enjoy and put their independence at risk. 

“It’s clear that the limitation which arthritis imposes on many people’s lives is having a profound effect.

“This survey is a wake-up call to the Northern Ireland Executive, UK Government, and Health & Social Care Providers to recognise the hidden impact of arthritis and ensure that people get the support they need to enjoy a full and active life.”

Caitriona Roberts, 24, from Belfast, has lived with arthritis since she was 12 years old. Caitriona, said:

“It was difficult as no-one else I knew had the condition and it was very isolating and lonely. I went through a very bad stage when I was much younger where I was really down and depressed. You get forced out of bed to go to school, but that’s it - you don’t want to socialise or interact with people. It’s that feeling of self-pity and that no-one else understands what you’re going through.”

Arthritis Care is calling for real change for people with arthritis, including:

• Better recognition of the impact of arthritis by governments and health and social care providers across the UK
• Better integration of mental and physical health services
• Better access to support with self-management and pain management services

Arthritis Care (arthritiscare.org.uk) offers a range of support and services for people with arthritis, including programmes that help people to manage their condition better, a network of local branches and support groups across Northern Ireland, a telephone helpline 808 800 4050 and Online Community. They also offer a wide range of free information including our new Feelings matter booklet, which can be downloaded at arthritiscare.org.uk/feelingsmatter. Alternatively, you can contact Arthritis Care on 028 9078 2940 to find out more.

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*Case studies and spokespeople for media interviews are available on request.

Media Enquiries: John McCormick: [email protected] tel: 07773 031 988 or 028 9078 2940

Notes to Editors:

• Arthritis Care surveyed 3,038 people with arthritis (online and by post) between 31 January and 16 March 2017.  In Northern Ireland, 150 people responded to the survey.
• Of the total number who responded to the survey: 2,746 were living in the UK, 251 did not specify where they lived and 41 said they lived outside of the UK.
• The report: Hidden impact: Arthritis and mental wellbeing is available at arthritiscare.org.uk/hiddenimpactpdf
• Arthritis Care (arthritiscare.org.uk) provides a number of services, including a Helpline, a free confidential service offering information and support - including free booklets and downloads on a number of topics related to living well with arthritis. These include ‘Living with Arthritis’, ‘Healthy Eating for People with Arthritis’, ‘Surgery and Arthritis’ and ‘Working with Arthritis’.

Contact the Helpline Freephone on 0808 800 4050 Monday to Friday, 09:30 – 17:00 or email [email protected].

Our other services in Northern Ireland include funded self-management courses that help people with arthritis manage their condition better, and a mentoring and befriending service for isolated older people and carers.

• Arthritis literally means inflammation of the joints. There are lots of different types of arthritis, which can affect people of all ages, including children.