Tag Archives: depression

When Stars Get Sick: Glamorizing Illness or Bringing Awareness?
Advocacy / Arthritis Ashley / Autoimmune / Awareness / Body Image / chronic illness / Entertainment / invisible illness / Lady Gaga / Lupus / Personal Stories / Pop Culture / rheum awareness / Selena Gomez / social media / Types of Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness

When Stars Get Sick: Glamorizing Illness or Bringing Awareness?

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It never fails to amaze me how fired up people on the Internet get about celebrities. Like, okay … I’ve been guilty of it to an extent. I’m an admitted fangirl. I’m proudly in the “fandoms” of Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, and Oprah. I’m a Grey’s Anatomy lifer. … Continue reading →

Healthline.com: Depression Makes It Tougher to Beat Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Healthline.com: Depression Makes It Tougher to Beat Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Not sure if I’ve shared this post with you all yet. It’s one of my Healthline pieces about depression and arthritis. There is a long-recognized link between depression and rheumatoid arthritis, but a new study gives more definitive proof that having depression can hamper remission in RA patients … learn more about it, here: http://www.healthline.com/health-news/depression-makes-it-tougher-to-beat-ra-121414 You … Continue reading →

Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain: Public Selfies & Private Illness
Arthritis / arthritis blog / Awareness / chronic illness / instagram / invisible illness / Personal Stories / selfies / social media

Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain: Public Selfies & Private Illness

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“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.”  It’s one of the most powerful lines from the movie and book, The Wizard of Oz. It’s such a simple quote — so relevant to the scene, that we usually don’t think of the symbolism that lies within it. it got me thinking, though, about “the … Continue reading →

How Much Do Our Emotions and Life Decisions Contribute to Our Disease Symptoms?
Arthritis / Journey to Wellness / Wellness

How Much Do Our Emotions and Life Decisions Contribute to Our Disease Symptoms?

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I read a really interesting piece recently about some symptoms of chronic illnesses being, not caused by, but, exacerbated by, one’s life being out-of-balance or on the wrong path i.e. wrong career, wrong spouse or romantic partner, no spiritual compass, minimal friends or social prospects, little community involvement, too much focus on the self or … Continue reading →

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Inspiration or Isolation: Which Path Will You Choose? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

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In the world of chronic illness, there are many things about which we simply do not have a choice. I didn’t choose rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis, or celiac disease, lupus, sjogrens syndrome, chiari, and so on. Likewise, I’m sure that you did not choose whichever illnesses or disabilities that you may live with. As I’ve … Continue reading →

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Self Esteem, Body Image, and Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

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Many of us who live with chronic illness – especially rheumatic and autoimmune illnesses, or conditions that cause chronic pain – can get frustrated at our body at times for seemingly working against us. However, there are other body issues that can come along with being chronically ill. Many medications cause appearance-related side effects: skin … Continue reading →

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Health & Hollywood: Stars Get Sick, Too! A Look at Celebrities with Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

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Sure, their “people” usually try to either: a.) hide the fact that their celebrity client is sick or b.) exploit the fact that their celebrity client is sick….but the truth is, stars are human, and even the most beautiful, rich, and famous people in the world get sick, too. I was  saddened to hear about … Continue reading →

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Fibromyalgia / Types of Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness

The Dark Side of Arthritis and Chronic Illness: Combating Depression and Suicide – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

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Sure, I always strive to be happy and live well with illness. I push positivity, and, I’m not alone –  research has shown that a positive attitude and optimistic outlook is beneficial both to your mental AND physical health. While we should at all times try to live our best lives despite our conditions, the … Continue reading →

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Joys and Pains: A Rheumatoid Arthritis Poem – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

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For today’s blog post, I would like to do something a little different, and share with you all a poem that I wrote about life with rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic conditions/chronic illnesses. It is called Joys and Pains. Please enjoy! “Unrelenting pain and never-ceasing fatigue. Hurts and aches in every place. Wondering at times, … Continue reading →