The study written about in the Scientific American article below appears to be a "no brainer." Who wouldn't get depressed when their body changes in ways they can't control and they don't want? Of course I'll become depressed that I lose shape and function to my body. Of course having a disease that inflicts pain and disability will not only affect my mood, but cause me significant emotional disability as well.
Appearance related to illness tied to depression | March 2, 2007 | ScientificAmerican.comAppearance related to illness tied to depression
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Appearance and physical disability are risk factors for depression in people afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, researchers report. With systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly known as just lupus, only appearance seems to predict depression.
Physical deformities, particularly of the hands and feet, can develop with rheumatoid arthritis, whereas skin rashes and other lesions can occur with lupus, Dr. Louise Sharpe, from the University of Sydney in Australia, and colleagues note in the medical journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Although few studies have looked at body image concerns, there is evidence that women with these disorders have a poorer body image than unaffected women, the team notes.
The focus of their study was to evaluate the link between physical appearance concerns and psychological distress in patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
