Cognitive behavioral therapy an effective treatment option for Lupus

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy;” “Like Water off a Duck’s Back;” “Every Cloud has a Silver Lining.” We have all heard these idioms at some point in our lives, directing us to look on the “sunny side of the street,” rather than constantly thinking about the troubles at hand. Most recent medical research has given credence to meditating on these ideas, as stress appears to be one of the largest risk factors for developing and agitating chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, arthritis, and gastrointestinal disorders. Now, a new study, conducted by a team of Spanish researchers, reveals that cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment option for those suffering with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus.

The team understood that daily stress often agitated the symptoms of lupus and decreased the quality of life of many patients. The stress can manifest itself both physically and psychologically, making the disease that much more difficult to manage. Furthermore, chronic stress in lupus patients can lead to the development of other illnesses and disorders, compounding the original problem. Many times, these individuals are in too much pain to continue working and often have to file for disability benefits. Waiting on a determination of benefits or even being out of a job may add to the stress they already experience.

Recognizing that stress plays an active role in the lives of lupus patients, the Spanish research team examined forty-five lupus patients who also had high levels of daily stress. The participants were randomly assigned to a therapy group, who received cognitive behavioral therapy on a weekly basis, or a control group, who did not receive any therapy. The patients were evaluated at the beginning, three months, nine months, and fifteen months. Specifically, the team evaluated the participants’ stress and depression levels, their somatic symptoms, number of flare-ups, and anti-DNA components. The researchers found that those patients who engaged in the therapy reported a significant decrease in stress and depression when compared with those who did not receive therapy. They also reported a decrease in their somatic symptoms. Although the disease itself did not improve, the quality of life of the participants significantly improved.

Sometimes it is not enough to simply take prescription drugs or consistently visit your doctor to manage a condition such as lupus. As this study proves, sometimes people need an additional dose of therapy as well. When trying to manage lupus it is important to keep psychological disorders at bay. You may want to discuss therapy options with your doctor so that you too can live a less stressful, better quality of life.