23: Beyond the Symptoms: Autoimmune Diseases and the Mental Health Connection

Summary In this episode, Jonathan interviews Jessikah Kipf, a licensed therapist and PhD candidate in educational psychology, about the intersection of autoimmune diseases and mental health. Jessica shares her personal experience with autoimmune disease and discusses the impact of autoimmune diseases on mental health. She emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to managing autoimmune disease and highlights the role of mental health in supporting individuals with autoimmune diseases. The episode concludes with a case study that illustrates the challenges faced by individuals with autoimmune diseases and the importance of finding the right medical support. In this conversation, Jessikah Kipf shares her personal journey with autoimmune disease and the challenges she faced in getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. She discusses the importance of addressing sensitivities and making medication changes, as well as the role of metabolism and mental health in overall well-being. Jessikah emphasizes the need to seek help and not dismiss mental health concerns, highlighting the impact of denial and the importance of a supportive primary doctor. She also explores the concept of resilience and provides tips for building resilience, including the three pillars of power, perspective, and perseverance, as well as the seven C's of resilience: confidence, competence, connection, character, contribution, coping, and control. Takeaways Autoimmune diseases can have a significant impact on mental health, with over half of people diagnosed with autoimmune disease experiencing anxiety and depression. A holistic approach that considers the whole person, including physical and mental health, is crucial in managing autoimmune diseases. Support from healthcare professionals, including primary care physicians and mental health providers, is essential in addressing the emotional and psychological challenges of living with autoimmune disease. Case studies highlight the complex and individualized nature of autoimmune diseases and the importance of finding the right medical support. Addressing sensitivities and making medication changes can be crucial in managing autoimmune diseases. Metabolism and mental health are interconnected and should be considered in treatment plans. Denial can prevent individuals from seeking help for mental health issues, but it is important to acknowledge and address these concerns. Building resilience involves cultivating power, perspective, and perseverance, as well as developing confidence, competence, connection, character, contribution, coping, and control. Tips for building resilience include advocating for oneself, using lists and notes to manage brain fog, reflecting on patterns and triggers, and not being afraid to seek another professional opinion. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background03:34 Impact of Autoimmune Diseases on Mental Health12:25 The Role of Mental Health in Managing Autoimmune Disease16:13 The Holistic Approach to Autoimmune Disease40:48 Sensitivities and Medication Changes41:23 Metabolism and Mental Health42:24 Denial and Seeking Help43:22 Primary Doctor and Mental Health44:14 Discovering ADHD and Trauma44:42 Starting Treatment and Feeling Better45:40 Resilience and Positive Outlook46:08 Building Positive Events and Glimmers47:14 Three Pillars of Resilience: Power, Perspective, and Perseverance47:41 Seven C's of Resilience: Confidence, Competence, Connection, Character, Contribution, Coping, and Control01:06:27 Tips for Building Resilience01:13:16 Closing Remarks and Contact Information   Show Notes: Guest: Jessikah Kipf @jessikahkipf (Instagram) Connect with Jonathan Szarko: JonathanSzarko.com @JonathanSzarko (Instagram) Music: DJ Stryer @stryermusic (Instagram)     Citations: Angum, F., Khan, T., Kaler, J., Siddiqui, L., & Hussain, A. (2020). The Prevalence of Autoimmune Disorders in Women: A Narrative Review. Cureus, 12(5), e8094. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.8094   Autoimmune Association (2024). Tips for Getting a Diagnosis of an Autoimmune Disease. The Autoimmune Association. Retreived March 5, 2024, from https://autoimmune.org/resource-center/diagnosis-tips/#:~:text=On%20average%2C%20autoimmune%20patients%20see,quickly%20at%20an%20accurate%20diagnosis.   Cojocaru, M., Cojocaru, I. M., & Silosi, I. (2010). Multiple autoimmune syndrome. Maedica, 5(2), 132–134.   Conrad N, Misra S, Verbakel JY, et al. Incidence, prevalence, and co-occurrence of autoimmune disorders over time and by age, sex, and socioeconomic status: a population-based cohort study of 22 million individuals in the UK. The Lancet. 2023;401(10391):1878-1890. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00457-9   Daskalakis, N. P., Xu, C., Bader, H. N., Chatzinakos, C., Weber, P., Makotkine, I., Lehrner, A., Bierer, L. M., Binder, E. B., & Yehuda, R. (2021). Intergenerational trauma is associated with expression alterations in glucocorticoid- and immune-related genes. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 46(4), 763–773. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-00900-8   Dube, S. R., Fairweather, D., Pearson, W. S., Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., & Croft, J. B. (2009). Cumulative childhood stress and autoimmune diseases in adults. Psychosomatic medicine, 71(2), 243–250. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181907888   Mahmoud, N. N., & Rothenberger, D. (2019). From Burnout to Well-Being: A Focus on Resilience. Clinics in colon and rectal surgery, 32(6), 415–423. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1692710   Mohan MP, Ramesh TC. Multiple autoimmune syndrome. Indian J Dermatol Venerol Leprol. 2003;69:298–299. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]   Sloan M, Wincup C, Harwood R, et al. Prevalence and identification of neuropsychiatric symptoms in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: An international mixed methods study. Rheumatology. 2023:kead369. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kead369   Additional Resources & Information:Autoimmune Disease Awareness https://autoimmune.org/   3 Pillars: Power, Perspective and Perseverance  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3-ps-resilience-power-perspective-perseverance-uda-ltd-lpgxe?utm_source=share&utm_medium=guest_desktop&utm_campaign=copy What is toxic stress? https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/what-is-toxic-stress   Building Resilience in Children: the 7 C's of Resilience https://www.pathfinder.health/post/helping-your-child-develop-resilience-using-the-7cs-model#:~:text=What%20are%20the%207%20C's,contribution%2C%20coping%2C%20and%20control.   Therapist Aide: Exercise example of one DBT skill, radical acceptance:https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/dbt-radical-acceptance   Get involved:NIH: Program for Healthy Volunteers https://clinicalcenter.nih.gov/participate/studies/healthy_vol_prg.html#:~:text=One%20way%20to%20volunteer%20is,at%20the%20NIH%20Clinical%20Center.   CLINICAL TRIALS https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/deciding-to-volunteer Volunteerhttps://www.researchmatch.org/ Volunteer to take surveys Survey Monkeyhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/volunteer-application-forms/ Research Volunteer Opportunities https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/research/bpru/research-volunteers Qualtrics https://www.qualtrics.com/lp/experience-management/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=NA|SRC|BRD|Qualtrics&utm_content=Qualtrics&utm_term=qualtrics&utm_keyword=e&matchtype=e&device=c&creative=649445351658&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhtWvBhD9ARIsAOP0Goh_q-BLtto8_VYZQw6Xmk1D0Q-VWvyoZ27e5cfVN7oerBZYU1bU5CcaAp_MEALw_wcB