Can keratoconus cause anxiety? Living with keratoconus (KC) can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. I know, I have been living with keratoconus for over 30 years. One question often asked is, “Can KC cause anxiety?”
In this blog post, we’ll explore this topic and discuss the potential link between KC and anxiety. We will understand how KC affects our emotions and what factors can contribute to anxiety for those of us with KC.
The Emotional Impact of Keratoconus
Living with KC is not just about managing the physical aspects of the condition. It also takes a toll on our emotions and how we feel.
Dealing with Emotional Challenges
Coping with Vision Changes:
- KC causes unpredictable changes in our vision, which can make us worry about the future and feel afraid. We may not know how our vision will change or if treatments for KC will work, and this uncertainty can lead to anxiety.
Social Anxiety and Visual Limitations:
- KC can make certain activities difficult and affect our social interactions. We might feel self-conscious or worry about what others think of our condition. These concerns can lead to social anxiety and other psychological effects of keratoconus, where we feel nervous or uncomfortable in social situations.
Managing Daily Challenges:
- Taking care of KC involves regular eye doctor visits, using contact lenses or other vision corrections, and adjusting our daily routines. Learning how to use our lenses, insert them and take them out and maintain them. For example, the scleral contact lens for KC does have a learning curve. Furthermore, sometimes fits have to be readjusted not to mention the cost associated with specialty lenses. These tasks can feel overwhelming and add stress to our lives, contributing to anxiety symptoms. This is why it is important to learn how to overcome keratoconus anxiety.
The Connection Between Keratoconus and Anxiety
While there isn’t a direct cause-and-effect relationship between KC and anxiety, there are factors that can make those of us with KC more prone to experiencing anxiety.
Worries About Vision:
- KC can make us worry about our ability to do everyday tasks like driving, reading, or recognizing faces. These concerns can trigger anxiety, especially in situations where good vision is important.
- As an example, before I got my vision restored with the scleral contact lens I had to give up driving at night with KC then eventually I had to stop driving altogether.
Health-Related Anxiety:
- Those of us with KC might develop anxiety related to our health. We may constantly worry about how KC will progress or if there will there be complications. The fear of worsening vision or needing invasive treatments can increase anxiety levels.
Impact on Quality of Life:
- KC can affect our ability to enjoy certain activities or limit our career choices. These limitations can lead to frustration and a sense of helplessness, which can contribute to anxiety, therefore, decreasing our quality of life with KC.
Key Takeaways
- Without treatment, our vision will get worse causing uncertainty.
- Not being able to perform to our best whether it be at school, work, or social settings can be a cause of anxiety.
- Having any sort of health concern can add to our anxiety level.
- The impact on our quality of life will be of great concern to us.
To Summarize
Can keratoconus cause anxiety? Living with keratoconus can be tough emotionally, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.
While KC doesn’t directly cause anxiety, I can tell you from the firsthand account, it can contribute to anxiety symptoms due to the challenges it presents us.
It’s crucial to prioritize your mental well-being, seek support from friends, family, or professionals, and learn strategies to manage anxiety effectively.
Remember, if anxiety is impacting your daily life, reach out to a healthcare professional or mental health specialist for guidance and support. By taking care of your physical and emotional well-being, you can navigate life with KC with strength and a positive outlook.
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