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Chronic diseases

Chronic Disease Trauma: New Insights into the Psychological Impact on Individuals Living with Chronic Illnesses

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A staggering number of people in the UK live with chronic illnesses, which can lead to ongoing trauma, affecting their sense of self and emotional well-being. Research from the University of Nottingham highlights the psychological impact of living with a chronic illness, specifically inflammatory bowel disease, on women's experiences and sense of self. The study reveals a model of traumatic chronic illness survival, challenging traditional expectations of personal growth due to illness.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that over 15 million people in the UK live with a chronic illness, with this number expected to increase.
  • Individuals living with chronic illnesses experience ongoing trauma, which can lead to psychologically distressing emotions, including post-traumatic stress.
  • A new model of traumatic chronic illness survival was identified, which challenges traditional views of personal growth and trauma.
  • The model emphasizes the importance of flexibility of self in managing the emotional impact of chronic illness.
  • Semi-structured interviews with 16 women in the UK were conducted, and the data was analyzed using the Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method.
  • Four key interconnecting themes were identified: wearing the straitjacket of illness, which leads to psychologically difficult emotions.

Statistics:

  • Over 15 million people in the UK live with a chronic illness (Care and support for long term conditions, 2024).
  • The number of people living with chronic illnesses in the UK is expected to increase.
  • 16 women in the UK participated in semi-structured interviews for the study.
  • 4 key interconnecting themes were identified in the study.

Sources:

  • (Care and support for long term conditions, 2024)
  • (Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 2004, 77, 101)
  • (Rehabilitation Psychology, 2014, 59, 10)
  • (Phenomenological research methods, 1994)
  • Can Current Post-traumatic Growth Models Capture the Lived Experience of Life With a Fluctuating Chronic Illness? Towards a New Model. British Journal of Health Psychology, 2025;30(3).

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