Arthritis and Mental Health: Signs, Self-Help and NHS Support in the UK

Quick answer: Low mood and anxiety are common with arthritis and can make pain feel worse. Speak to your GP if low mood or worry lasts two weeks or more. In England you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies. In a crisis, call 999 if life is at risk, NHS 111 option 2 in England or Wales, NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland, Lifeline 0808 808 8000 in Northern Ireland, or Samaritans free on 116 123.

Checked on 11 October 2026. Crisis contacts were checked against the NHS urgent mental health help page, Samaritans, NHS 111 Wales press 2, NHS inform, Breathing Space, Lifeline and Shout. Treatment information follows NHS guidance on talking therapies and NICE guideline CG91 on depression with a chronic physical health problem.

Arthritis is not only about joints. Pain that comes and goes, losing the ability to do things you love, worries about work and money, waiting for treatment, and feeling that others do not understand can all wear you down. Low mood and anxiety are common in long-term painful conditions, and NICE has a specific guideline on depression in adults who also have a chronic physical health problem. Feeling this way is not weakness or a failure to cope. It is a recognised part of living with a long-term condition, and help is available.

This guide explains how arthritis and mental health affect each other, the signs to look out for, what you can do yourself, and how to get NHS support in each UK nation.

How arthritis and mental health affect each other

The relationship works in both directions:

• Pain and fatigue make it harder to sleep, work, see friends and do enjoyable things, which can lower mood.
• Low mood and anxiety can make pain feel worse and harder to cope with, reduce motivation to move, and disrupt sleep further.
• Uncertainty about flares, the future, treatment or surgery can drive worry.
• Loss and change, such as giving up a job, sport or hobby, can bring grief. See our guide to grief and loss after diagnosis.
• Isolation can creep in if getting out is harder.
• Some medicines can affect mood. The NHS says prednisolone, a steroid often used in arthritis, can cause mood changes and mental health problems, sometimes soon after starting.

This is why looking after your mental health is part of managing arthritis, not a separate issue.

Signs to look out for

Everyone has bad days. The NHS describes depression as feeling persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days. Speak to your GP if, for most of the day on most days for two weeks or more, you notice things like:

• feeling low, hopeless or tearful
• losing interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
• feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, or sleeping much more than usual
• changes in appetite or weight
• finding it hard to concentrate or make decisions
• feeling worthless, guilty or a burden
• constant worry, feeling on edge, or panic attacks
• avoiding people or places

Some of these overlap with arthritis symptoms, such as tiredness and poor sleep, which can make depression easy to miss. If you are unsure, it is still worth asking. Our guides to depression and arthritis and anxiety and arthritis go into more detail.

Get help urgently if you have thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life, or feel unable to keep yourself safe. Use the crisis contacts at the top of this page.

Things you can do yourself

Self-help does not replace treatment if you need it, but small, steady steps can make a real difference.

Keep moving, gently

Regular physical activity is recommended for arthritis and can also help mood. Choose something manageable and pace it. Short walks, gentle exercise classes, swimming or tai chi all count.

Look after sleep

Keep regular sleep and wake times, wind down before bed, and talk to your GP if pain keeps you awake.

Pace your days

Break tasks into smaller chunks and plan rests, so you avoid boom-and-bust cycles that leave you exhausted and low.

Stay connected

Keep in touch with people, even briefly. A phone call, a coffee or a support group can help. If loneliness is an issue, see our guide to loneliness and social contact.

Do things you enjoy

Adapt hobbies rather than giving them up, and plan at least one thing each day that you look forward to.

Set realistic goals

Choose small, achievable goals and notice when you meet them.

Limit alcohol

Alcohol can lower mood, disrupt sleep and interact with some arthritis medicines.

Use trusted self-help tools

The NHS Every Mind Matters website has free tips and a personalised plan. Mind also has information on coping during a crisis.

Looking after your mood during a flare

Flares can bring a dip in mood as well as more pain. It can help to plan ahead while you feel well:

• write down what usually helps during a flare, such as rest, heat or cold, and gentle movement
• decide which tasks can wait and who could help with the rest
• keep a list of small comforts that lift you, such as a favourite programme, music or a call with a friend
• remind yourself that flares usually settle, and contact your rheumatology advice line if one does not

A simple plan for difficult days

Some people find it useful to write a short plan, kept on their phone or by the bed, for times when they feel overwhelmed. You could include:

• signs that tell you things are getting harder, such as not sleeping or withdrawing from people
• things you can do to calm yourself or distract yourself for the next few hours
• people you can contact, with their numbers
• professional contacts: your GP surgery, NHS 111 (option 2 in England and Wales), NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland or Lifeline in Northern Ireland, and Samaritans on 116 123
• ways to make your surroundings safer, for example asking someone to look after extra medicines

Share the plan with someone you trust if you can. Your GP or a mental health professional can help you develop it.

NHS talking therapies

Talking therapies involve talking to a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. The NHS says they can help with low mood and worry, depression, anxiety and coping with a long-term health condition, including chronic pain.

England: refer yourself

In England, you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression without seeing a GP. You need to be registered with a GP and aged 18 or over (16 or over in some areas). Search "NHS Talking Therapies" on the NHS website to find your local service.

Types of therapy offered include:

• Guided self-help: working through a workbook or online course with support from a therapist, based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) principles
• CBT: a therapist helps you change how you think and act. Our guide to CBT for chronic pain explains how this can help with arthritis.
• Counselling: talking about your thoughts, feelings and experiences to find your own solutions

Therapy may be in person, by phone or video, or online, one to one or in groups.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• Scotland: psychological therapies are usually accessed through your GP. NHS inform has self-help guides, and Breathing Space offers a free listening line on 0800 83 85 87 (weekday evenings from 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday, and from Friday 6pm to Monday 6am).
• Wales: speak to your GP about local primary care mental health support. NHS 111 Wales press 2 is available 24 hours a day for urgent mental health support.
• Northern Ireland: speak to your GP about talking therapy options. Lifeline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 808 8000.

Talking to your GP or rheumatology team

Your GP can assess your mood, discuss options such as talking therapy or medicine, and help you access local services. Your rheumatology team also wants to know if arthritis is affecting your mental health, because it can affect how you manage your condition and how you respond to treatment.

Tips for the conversation:

• Be honest. You could say, "My arthritis is getting me down and I'm struggling to cope."
• Describe how long you have felt this way and how it affects your daily life.
• Mention any medicine changes, especially steroids.
• Ask what support is available locally.
• Take someone with you, or write notes beforehand, if that helps.

Antidepressants and other medicines

NICE guidance for depression with a chronic physical health problem describes a stepped approach: lower-intensity support first for milder symptoms, with talking therapy and, where appropriate, antidepressants for more persistent or severe depression. Some antidepressants are also used at low doses for certain types of pain.

If you are offered an antidepressant:

• Ask about side effects and how long it might take to work.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your arthritis medicines, including NSAIDs and anything bought over the counter, as some combinations need care. For example, the NHS says the antidepressant sertraline may not mix well with NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin, or with anticoagulants such as warfarin, and should not be taken with the herbal remedy St John's wort.
• Do not stop suddenly without advice.

Never stop steroids suddenly either. If you think prednisolone is affecting your mood, the NHS advises talking to your doctor.

Pain management programmes and support

Some NHS areas offer pain management programmes, run by teams such as psychologists and physiotherapists, that help people live better with long-term pain. Ask your GP or rheumatology team if one is available. Arthritis charities and local groups also offer information, helplines and peer support.

Mental health while waiting for treatment

Waiting for an appointment or surgery can be hard on mood. Keeping a record of symptoms, staying as active as you can, and knowing who to contact if things change can help you feel more in control. Our guide to surviving NHS waiting lists has practical steps.

Work, money and mental health

Worries about work and money are a major source of stress. Free, impartial advice is available from Citizens Advice, and you may have rights to reasonable adjustments at work under the Equality Act 2010 if your arthritis counts as a disability. Talking to someone about practical problems can ease anxiety.

Supporting someone with arthritis and low mood

• Listen without trying to fix everything.
• Encourage them to talk to their GP or refer themselves to talking therapies.
• Help with practical tasks if they want it.
• Look after yourself too. Carers can also feel low and can get support.
• If you are worried someone is at risk of harming themselves, ask them directly. Asking does not make it more likely. Help them get urgent support using the contacts above.

When to get medical help

• See your GP if low mood or anxiety lasts two weeks or more, affects your daily life, or you are not sure.
• Get urgent advice from NHS 111 (option 2 in England and Wales; NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland), Lifeline in Northern Ireland, or an urgent GP appointment if you need urgent help for your mental health.
• Call 999 or go to A&E if someone's life is at risk or you cannot keep yourself safe.
• Talk to your doctor about mood changes after starting or changing a medicine, especially steroids.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to feel depressed with arthritis?

Low mood and anxiety are common with long-term painful conditions. They are not a sign of weakness, and treatment can help.

Can I refer myself for therapy?

In England, yes. You can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression if you are registered with a GP and aged 18 or over (16 in some areas). Elsewhere in the UK, start with your GP.

Can depression make arthritis pain worse?

Low mood can make pain feel worse and harder to manage, and pain can lower mood. Treating both together tends to help.

Can arthritis medicines affect my mood?

Some can. The NHS says prednisolone can cause mood changes. Talk to your doctor, but do not stop steroids suddenly.

What is NHS 111 option 2?

In England and Wales, calling 111 and choosing the mental health option (option 2) connects you to urgent mental health support. In Scotland, NHS 24 on 111 has a Mental Health Hub.

Who can I talk to at night?

Samaritans is free on 116 123, day or night. You can also text SHOUT to 85258, or in Northern Ireland call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.

Will my rheumatology team care about my mood?

Yes. Mental health affects how you manage arthritis, so tell your team if you are struggling.

Sources and further reading

• NHS: Where to get urgent help for mental health
• NHS: Talking therapies
• NHS: NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression
• NICE CG91: Depression in adults with a chronic physical health problem
• NHS: Depression in adults
• NHS: Side effects of prednisolone
• NHS: Sertraline
• Samaritans: Contact us
• Samaritans
• NHS Wales: 111 press 2
• NHS inform: Mental health support
• Breathing Space
• Lifeline
• Shout

Educational information for people in the United Kingdom, not personal medical, legal or financial advice. NHS processes, rules and prices change, so check the linked official sources and speak to your GP, specialist team or pharmacist about your own situation. Charity no. 1218461. Pending clinical review. If you feel very unwell, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent advice, contact NHS 111.

Continue with related help

• Arthritis and mental health hub — tools and support
• How to sleep with arthritis — better nights
• Managing arthritis fatigue — energy
• Pacing and energy management — avoid boom and bust
• Flare action plan — plan ahead
• Gentle exercises — move safely
• Newly diagnosed guide — first steps
• PIP and benefits — money worries
• Carer's assessment — support for carers
• Dating with arthritis — confidence