Living With Long-Term Health Conditions
Living With Long-Term Health Conditions
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD.
Long-term health conditions can affect many parts of life, including energy, mood, sleep, relationships, work, study, independence, identity, and confidence [1,2].
Many Australians live with chronic or long-term health conditions. These conditions can be associated with illness, disability, reduced quality of life, and ongoing health care needs [1].
The Emotional Impact Of Long-Term Health Conditions
People living with long-term health conditions may experience grief, anxiety, frustration, sadness, anger, fear, uncertainty, or a sense of being different from their previous self [2,3].
These reactions are understandable. Adjusting to illness often involves adapting to changes in the body, routines, roles, future plans, relationships, and expectations.
Adjustment Is Not The Same As Giving Up
Adjustment does not mean pretending the condition is fine. It does not mean liking the illness or giving up on treatment.
Adjustment means learning how to live as well as possible with the reality of the condition, while still making room for medical care, emotional wellbeing, relationships, values, and meaningful activity.
Common Challenges
- Living with uncertainty
- Managing symptoms, fatigue, pain, or flare-ups
- Changing work, study, parenting, or social roles
- Explaining the condition to others
- Feeling misunderstood when symptoms are invisible
- Balancing rest, activity, treatment, and responsibilities
- Managing fear about the future
- Maintaining identity beyond the illness
Helpful Psychological Skills
Psychological support may help people develop coping skills, clarify values, manage difficult thoughts and emotions, pace activity, communicate needs, and re-engage with meaningful parts of life [3,4].
Pacing And Routine
Pacing can help people balance activity and rest more carefully, especially when symptoms fluctuate. The aim is to reduce the cycle of overdoing, crashing, and withdrawing.
Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation skills can help people notice, name, and respond to emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them.
Values-Based Action
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can support people to take small, realistic steps toward what matters, even when symptoms or uncertainty are present [4].
Self-Compassion
Many people blame themselves for struggling. Self-compassion can help reduce shame and support a more realistic response to illness-related limits.
What Helps Over Time
- Reliable medical care and clear information
- Supportive relationships
- Realistic pacing and flexible routines
- Reducing self-blame
- Making room for grief while rebuilding meaning
- Maintaining connection with valued roles where possible
- Seeking psychological support when coping becomes difficult
Related Resources and Further Reading
- Adjustment to Medical Illness Support – Learn how psychological support can assist with coping, adjustment, identity changes, uncertainty, and emotional wellbeing following illness.
- Physical Health Conditions – Explore common psychological challenges associated with physical health conditions and evidence-based support options.
- Chronic Pain – Understand the relationship between persistent pain, emotional wellbeing, daily functioning, and quality of life.
- Sleep and Insomnia – Learn how sleep difficulties can interact with chronic health conditions and affect recovery, mood, and functioning.
- What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)? – Discover how ACT can help people respond more flexibly to difficult thoughts, emotions, symptoms, and uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Normal To Feel Emotional After A Medical Diagnosis?
Yes. Anxiety, grief, frustration, sadness, and uncertainty are common when people are adjusting to long-term health changes.
Can Psychology Help If My Condition Is Physical?
Yes. Psychology support does not replace medical care. It can help with coping, adjustment, mood, anxiety, routines, communication, and quality of life.
What If My Symptoms Change From Day To Day?
Fluctuating symptoms can be difficult to manage. Psychological support may help with pacing, flexible planning, emotional regulation, and reducing self-criticism.
Does Acceptance Mean I Have To Like My Illness?
No. Acceptance means making room for reality as it is, so that energy can be directed toward helpful action, treatment, relationships, and meaningful goals.
When Should I Seek Support?
Support may be useful when a health condition is affecting mood, anxiety, sleep, relationships, work, study, independence, or daily life.
References
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (2025). About chronic conditions. https://www.health.gov.au/topics/chronic-conditions/about-chronic-conditions
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). The ongoing challenge of chronic conditions in Australia. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/chronic-conditions-challenge
- Stanton, A. L., Revenson, T. A., & Tennen, H. (2007). Health psychology: Psychological adjustment to chronic disease. Annual Review of Psychology, 58, 565–592. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085615
- Graham, C. D., Gouick, J., Krahe, C., & Gillanders, D. (2016). A systematic review of the use of acceptance and commitment therapy in chronic disease and long-term conditions. Clinical Psychology Review, 46, 46–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.04.009
Enquiries and Appointments
We are a Gold Coast Clinical and General Psychologist clinic conveniently positioned in Varsity Lakes.
Therapy is available in person at Varsity Lakes or via telehealth anywhere in Australia.
The easiest way to book an appointment is online.
