Lipoedema and Mental Health: Dealing with Anxiety, Depression, and Frustration

Most  people defined lipoedema as a chronic condition, characterised for the abnormal buildup of fat. For millions of women (the most affected population) worldwide, it brings a daily struggle with pain, swelling, discomfort  and mobility. However, lipoedema is far more than just a physical condition. Everyday, patients deal with mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and frustration. For that reason, it is key to understand and address both, the physical and emotional impact of lipoedema, in order to improve the general well being of each patient. Let’s see how lipoedema affects mental health of patients and how they can be helped.

Lipoedema and mental health: The emotional impact of lipoedema

As I said above, Lipoedema´s main characteristic is the abnormal accumulation of fat (resistant to diet and exercise), primarily in the legs and arms changing your body shape. Most common symptoms are: pain, swelling, easy bruising (caused by reduced lymphatic and blood flow) and reduced mobility. These physical symptoms and criticism from outsiders often lead to:

• Low self-esteem
• Body image issues
• Insecurity
• Dissatisfaction
• Stress
• Emotional exhaustion
• Social isolation 
• Anxiety 
• Frustration

Anxiety in lipoedema

Anxiety and lipoedema come together. The uncertainty of the condition, spending time in the right diagnosis, then worries about progression, low self-esteem and fear of how others perceive you can create a constant state of apprehension. For those who don´t get s psychological help, this anxiety becomes generalised and persistent, leading to:

• exacerbation of physical symptoms
• Sleep disturbances
• Overactive “fight or flight” response
• Worries about treatment, costs, and future
• etc.

Depression and hopelessness

More that 40% of patients with lipoedema experience depression, with rates increasing as the condition progresses or mobility declines. Some common symptoms of depression are:

• Persistent sadness or hopelessness
• Loss of interest in activities
• Frequent crying and irritability
• Feelings of inferiority and shame
• Difficulty managing daily self-care and treatment routines
• Isolation
• Ruminative thoughts about the condition or others opinion
• Sleep issues

Lipoedema patients manifest a profound sense of loss (of physical ability, social life, or self-image), especially when compounded by repeated misunderstandings from medical professionals or loved ones.

Frustration and anger

Many people with lipoedema describe intense frustration in the following areas:

• Their bodies (inability to lose lipoedema fat)
• Healthcare systems.  Late/misdiagnosis and dismissal by doctors are common, leading to feelings of not being heard or believed and catalogued as lazy.
• Social stigma. people´s misunderstanding about the condition, discrimination and criticism produce further self-isolation.

What comes next? Reducing the emotional toll of lipoedema

Building emotional resilience

Even mental health challenges of lipoedema have high impact on people, there are strategies that can help:

• Professional psychological support: Therapy, especially from professionals familiar with chronic illness, can provide coping strategies and validation.
• Peergroups. Connecting with others who share your experiences can reduce isolation, create new true friendships/relationships and offer practical advice.
• Mindfulness and self-compassion. Mindfulness, gratitude journaling, meditation and pray improve emotional regulation.
• Set goals. Small, realistic, achievable self-care goals can build confidence and a sense of control improving your self-esteem.
• Advocacy and education. Learning about lipoedema and advocating for yourself in medical settings can empower you and improve outcomes.

Lipoedema and mental health-A final word:  Remember you are Not Alone

Living with lipoedema is a journey that affects both body and mind, but in this path you can’t decline. Don’t be ashamed to show your feelings and worries with health care professionals and loved ones. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or frustration is totally normal and you can seek emotional support from therapy, support groups, or trusted friends.  All these tools can make a significant difference in your quality of life and help you build resilience and a strong self-esteem for the road ahead.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!

References:

https://lipoedema.co.uk/emotional-support/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9602978/

https://lipedemaclinic.org/article/mental-health-and-support-for-lipedema/