Supporting Your Mental Health When Living With Bronchiectasis

If you’re living with a chronic illness, you know that it not only affects your physical health, but your mental health, too. And if you have bronchiectasis, you face the additional challenge of being more prone to infections. This causes repeated symptom flares, which can make you feel worse for weeks.

“This is what we call a ‘vicious vortex’ of infection, inflammation and airway damage,” says pulmonary medicine physician Anas Hadeh, MD. For your mental health and social life, this cycle can be vicious indeed.

Mental health tips for living with bronchiectasis

Many people with bronchiectasis experience anxiety and depression. But Dr. Hadeh says there are steps you can take to care for your mental and emotional health.

Manage flares and fears

When you have bronchiectasis, uncertainty around day-to-day symptoms and fear of flares can make it hard to plan for things you enjoy in life.

It can be difficult to manage your symptoms away from home or around others. And some symptoms, like coughing, might even feel embarrassing or cause anxiety. There’s also the risk of getting sick and bringing on a flare.

“When you flare, it takes a toll on your lungs and your mental state,” says Dr. Hadeh.

He suggests some strategies to help you feel prepared and bring some peace of mind.

• Get recommended vaccinations. This can reduce your risk of getting sick, which can lead to a flare. Ask your healthcare provider which vaccines are recommended for you.
• Keep test swabs on hand. Dr. Hadeh advises always having at-home COVID-19 and flu tests available. “If you feel like you’re getting sick and test positive, your provider can quickly prescribe antivirals to try to avoid a flare.”
• Stock up on medications. Contact your provider early if you need refills. Running low on meds, especially when you’re not feeling well, can cause added stress.
• Bring your devices with you. Any time you’ll be away from home, make sure to pack your PEP device, airway clearance vest and/or nebulizer.
• Tell your provider if you’re going out of town. They may give you a stash of antibiotics or extra medications, just in case of a flare away from home.

“Knowing you’re prepared can help reduce your fear about having a flare,” encourages Dr. Hadeh.

Connect with your loved ones

A good community and regular social interactions can help lower stress and keep anxiety at bay. But chronic illness can make those important connections a challenge. Work, hobbies and social life can take a backseat. Sometimes, you just don’t have the energy. And some people don’t understand that feeling bad for a few days can take you down for weeks.

“Not everyone will appreciate what it’s like to live with chronic illness,” Dr Hadeh recognizes. “But we don’t want you to live in a bubble and feel socially isolated.”

Things you can do to make it easier to connect include:

• Drop some knowledge. Explain how getting sick is more disruptive to your life and dangerous for your health than it is for others. This can help your loved ones understand why it’s so important for you to take precautions. Bringing important friends or family members to doctor’s appointments can also help.
• Set expectations. Dr. Hadeh says it’s important to let people know that you can’t be around anyone who’s sick or could be sick — before it happens. Normalizing this expectation can make it easier to enforce when you have to, for both you and other people.
• Plan around your symptoms. Maybe your fatigue is worse at certain times of day. Or damp air at outdoor events tends to bring on symptoms. Figuring out when you feel best can help you plan good times and places to connect.
• Make doable plans. An all-day outing might seem tempting, but a simple afternoon with a friend can be just as rewarding — and easier to pull off.
• Keep it small. Dr. Hadeh recommends avoiding crowded places when possible, especially during winter months. You can also have friends visit you.
• Stay in touch. When you can’t get together, regular texts or video calls can help you feel like you’re still in the loop.

Seek out support

Online forums and virtual or in-person meetings can provide support for people with bronchiectasis and chronic illness. Talking to and hearing from others with similar experiences can help you feel seen and understood. Support groups can also offer strategies for managing your health and social life.

Give your body and brain a boost

Taking care of your physical health can also benefit your emotional health. Some parts of your bronchiectasis care can give you an added brain boost:

• Breathing exercises: These can help clear mucus, relieve breathlessness and reduce anxiety. A respiratory therapist can show you what techniques work best.
• Physical activity: Even a little bit of movement every day can help reduce stress. Ask your provider what kinds of exercises and activities are safest and most helpful.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation: This is an exercise and education program that can teach you breathing techniques and get your body moving. Dr. Hadeh says this can help you manage symptoms, give you more energy and strengthen the muscles that support your lungs.
• Healthy diet: Your provider can make recommendations on which foods to eat and which to avoid so you can feel your best.

Take care of your whole self

Your mental health is as important to tend to as your physical health. “The two often go hand-in-hand,” says Dr. Hadeh. Connecting with loved ones, being prepared for a flare and participating in support groups can benefit both your body and brain.