Pregledni rad
The Impact of Chronic Illnesses on Mental Health
Katarina Matić
Sažetak
Treatment of chronic diseases today has become a major challenge due to their increasing prevalence, prolonged course, and significant impact on mental health. Individuals with chronic illnesses often develop mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. This further complicates treatment and reduces patients’ quality of life.
The underlying causes of chronic diseases include biological mechanisms such as chronic inflammation, hormonal changes, and imbalances in neurotransmitters. Additionally, psychological and social factors—such as stress, social isolation, and low socioeconomic status—contribute to the worsening of these conditions. The complexity of treatment is further increased by multimorbidity and polypharmacy, which require challenging therapeutic approaches and collaboration among different specialists. To improve treatment outcomes, integrated care models that connect physical and mental health have proven effective.
For the management of chronic diseases and mental disorders, prevention is of utmost importance, including the promotion of healthy lifestyles, early diagnosis, and multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients is also crucial, as it enhances patient adherence and facilitates disease management.
The biopsychosocial approach, encompassing all dimensions of health, is essential for understanding and treating individuals with chronic illnesses and mental disorders. To improve patients’ quality of life and reduce the overall burden on healthcare systems, the development of sustainable and accessible healthcare systems is necessary.
Ključne riječi
chronic diseases, mental health, multimorbidity, integrated care, quality of life
Hrčak ID:
349372
URI
Datum izdavanja:
10.7.2026.
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