Emotional Health
Emotional Health

How you feel is both mental and physical

While there may be a lot of focus on your physical health when you have a bleeding disorder, your emotional health is also important. Emotions play a key role in your overall quality of life and when you have a bleeding disorder you may experience a bigger emotional toll than those who don't.1

A bleeding disorder can cause pain, make you tired, and sometimes gets in the way of your daily life. Having a bleeding disorder also brings more responsibilities, from taking treatment to seeing healthcare providers (HCPs) regularly—which can make life feel more stressful. As a result, it’s not unusual for people with bleeding disorders to have negative emotions and feel things like isolation, fear, anxiety, depression, and more.2 Talk to your HCP right away if you have concerns about your mental health.

You’re not alone

While negative emotions are a normal part of life for everyone, it’s important to reach out and talk to others about how you are feeling.1 Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs) and the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) chapters have programs in place, such as summer camps for children and community wellness events, that address the emotional and social challenges of living with a bleeding disorder.1,3 But even talking to a friend or loved one about how you are feeling can also help.

“Life with a bleeding disorder has taught me to not take life for granted.” — Norma, patient

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  1. Emotional health. Steps for Living website. https://stepsforliving.hemophilia.org/step-up/maintaining-a-healthy-body/emotional-health. Accessed August 27, 2019.
  2. The emotional side of bleeding disorders. Steps for Living website. https://stepsforliving.hemophilia.org/next-step-kids/maintaining-a-healthy-body-kids/emotional-side-of-bleeding-disorders-kids. Accessed August 27, 2019.
  3. Colorito R. Putting the spotlight on mental health and bleeding disorders. HemAware website. https://hemaware.org/mind-body/putting-spotlight-mental-health-and-bleeding-disorders. Accessed August 27, 2019.