Arthritis and Mental Health

Adults with arthritis are more likely to have anxiety or depression symptoms than those who do not have arthritis. Of the 58.5 million adults with arthritis, over 10 million report symptoms of anxiety or depression. Adults with arthritis who are younger (aged 18 to 44 years) or who also have other chronic conditions are more likely to have anxiety or depression symptoms than other adults with arthritis.

Screen Your Patients

It is important to screen your patients with arthritis for anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses. Offer care, treatment, and referrals to services. Treating mental illness may also help patients manage their pain and other arthritis symptoms better.

• Read more about the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among adults with arthritis in the recent MMWR: Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Among Adults with Arthritis—United States, 2015–2017.
• To learn more about the link between arthritis, depression, and anxiety, see the Arthritis Foundation’s page, the Arthritis-Depression ConnectionExternalexternal icon.