Mental Health

Anxiety is a normal emotion that comes and goes in response to fears or worries about changes in health, work, relationships, or money. A person is said to have an anxiety disorder if the anxiety does not go away, gets worse over time, and prevents a person from participating in daily activities. 

People with chronic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, are at greater risk for developing clinical depression. When left untreated, depression can interfere with your ability to manage your CF effectively and experience a better quality of life.

Substance misuse is the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, or over-the-counter or prescription medications in a way that they are not meant to be used. Over time, substance misuse can become an unhealthy way to respond to stress and anxiety, particularly when managing a chronic illness like cystic fibrosis.

Procedural anxiety is the fear or worry related to any medical procedure that can interfere with your ability to receive appropriate medical care. You can partner with your cystic fibrosis care team to find ways to manage this common anxiety.

Caring for anyone with a long-term disease — especially if that person is your child — is stressful. Parents of children with cystic fibrosis are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, or both compared to parents in general.

Because of the wide variety of mental health concerns and needs of the CF population, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has formed the Prioritizing Research in Mental Health (PRIME) Working Group, which is dedicated to mental health research.