What I Do When Psoriatic Arthritis Makes Me Feel Like Giving Up

By Cynthia Covert

3 min read

Living with psoriatic arthritis is challenging. And while I would rather not admit it, there are times when it can make me feel like giving up. The pain, stiffness, and fatigue can drain all the energy out of me. Not just my physical energy but also my emotional, which makes it hard to keep a positive attitude.

If you are struggling, remember that you are not alone. With time, patience, and compassion, we can all get through the challenges of living with psoriatic arthritis. And by sharing our strategies, we can help each find the sun behind the rain and focus on the things that bring joy to our lives.

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When PsA hits too hard, and I've had enough...

I have developed coping strategies over the past twenty years to help me deal with these challenging moments. My life with psoriatic arthritis has been and will continue to be a difficult journey. But these strategies have helped manage the pain, stress, and emotional toll it takes on me.

Accepting my emotions, practicing self-care, reaching out to others for support, and reflecting on my journey have helped me cope during the dark moments. Here’s what I do when psoriatic arthritis makes me feel like giving up.

Acceptance & acknowledgement

One of the first things I do when the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis overwhelm me is to allow myself to feel what I am feeling. Without judgment or guilt, I let those feelings flow. Denying or suppressing my emotions only makes things worse.

Instead, I acknowledge that feeling sad, frustrated, or angry with the situation is okay. By accepting my feelings, I can process them and see my current situation more clearly.

Practice self-care

Nurturing my body with nutritious food, restful sleep, exercise, and relaxation techniques is another critical aspect of managing psoriatic arthritis. When I feel like giving up, I make sure to prioritize self-care activities that help me feel better physically and mentally.

For me, that means taking warm Epsom salt baths, doing gentle yoga, and planning my next visit to Disneyland.

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Connect with others who live with PsA

Living with psoriatic arthritis has been, for the most part, an isolating experience for me. It has only been recently that someone I personally knew was also diagnosed with it. When I feel down, I remind myself that I am not alone in this journey.

Connecting with others who have psoriatic arthritis in forums like this one has been an excellent way to gain perspective, share experiences, and receive validation of my feelings.

Take a stroll down memory lane

Sometimes I reflect on hard times and reminisce on the moments that brought me comfort, hope, and joy. I also remind myself of my resilience and strength when faced with complex challenges. Just because psoriatic arthritis is a progressive disease, it doesn’t mean that my life with it has only been a downhill path.

There have been a few instances where my body responded well to a treatment that allowed me to live with less pain and gave me the ability to do more. My trips down memory lane are also excellent reminders that there is always hope for a better tomorrow.

Permission to take it one day at a time

Lastly, I remind myself that psoriatic arthritis is a chronic illness requiring ongoing care and management. Permitting myself to take things one day at a time is a powerful way to reduce stress and overwhelm.

I tune out unrealistic expectations of those who don’t have PsA. And instead, reach out to others who are also living with psoriatic arthritis for support.

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Do you also find it painful to sit for extended periods of time?

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Psoriatic-Arthritis.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Mary Lynn Member
 It's so true, Cynthia, that we should allow ourselves to feel our emotions. I was a great "stuffer" for years. Then everything I had been pushing down ultimately boiled up in one big cry. PsA is teaching me to tend to emotions as the come up. Its the best way forward, I think. I got some unpleasant news at an appointment yesterday. I may require another surgery on my femur fracture. My husband, generally a supportive man, wanted me to set my feelings aside. I gently reminded him that I needed a bit of time to feel - feel the disappointment, anxiety and sadness. I won't stay here. But denying and stuffing my feelings leads to those feelings getting even bigger. 
1. Jill.Brodie Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Mary Lynn" user-id="4513411"/> I agree, bottling up feelings can lead to a bigger situation. I am so glad you are allowing yourself to feel all the emotions. I am sorry that you may have to get another surgery. Take your time to feel all the feels. Thank you for sharing with us. Jill, team member 
2. Cynthia Covert Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Mary Lynn" user-id="4513411"/> Gotta deal with those emotions before they boil over and burn us! I am so glad that you are learning to deal with and feel emotions as they occur. Once an emotional stuffer myself, I want to give you a big hug for how far you have come. I love how you gently expressed your needs to your husband.
CommunityMemberd87040 Member
I’m sitting here reading your comments and thinking back to my late thirties when psoriasis hit me on my legs and arms. Then vertigo, fatigue, cold and the list goes on. I went into a trial to figure out what was going on. I was depressed and told a psychiatrist that I would rather have a diagnosis like cancer than this unknown. She made me feel like it might be all in my head because they couldn’t give me a diagnosis. Luckily and Finally in 1987 I was diagnosed with CFS after a year of going weekly to report on my symptoms. Then in my 40s we move to CA. Found a wonderful dr who sent my to a rheumatologist who diagnosed me with PsA and fibromyalgia. At that point I decided that if I can’t beat it, I’ll join it. What do I mean. UI am now 71 and still kicking at least in my head. My children and husband know my limitations and my lack of ability to do things. They accommodated me. Family support is key. If not family then find friends or a physical support group. I have been on every medication starting with Humira. Each has worked for awhile then it stopped so I moved on to Enbrel, the list goes on. I now am on Remicade infusions. I have worked part time til I was 70. It’s a hard road we or on and yes unfortunately it took me a long time to forgive myself for my disability. I am a type A personality which doesn’t help as I continually have to forgive myself. Telling myself that it is not my fault. I didn’t do this to myself it just is. When I am in a lot of pain I try to find something that will take my mind off the pain and bring me joy. I told my Doctor I have figured out it is better to laugh than cry. I have had my thumb joint replacement, two toes in my foot and have a pain stimulator in my back. I go to PT and acupuncture weekly. I walk in the pool at LA fitness. Wow I really babbled on. I guess I’m trying to tell you don’t give up, life is too precious. You will have really shitty days or even weeks but then you will feel better. Not great but better. Find something to do that you love within your limitations. Forgive yourself often when you are really hurting or down. Tomorrow will be better. 
1. Cynthia Covert Contributor
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMemberd87040" user-id="6921630"/> Thank you for sharing!! There was a time when I complained about how life with PsA is like a roller coaster, but now I have learned to appreciate the fun parts while hanging on during the roughest parts.
britterz Member
Thank you for sharing in this article. Just yesterday i had my “im overwhelmed & emotional” day. Chronic pain is so draining & its hard to not talk about it when its part of my daily life. We all need to be able to talk about whats going on, but sometimes those around us get sick of hearing about our woes when they are everyday. Im so grateful for this forum , for the ability to talk to others who know what I'm going through & even have ideas on how to help manage the worse of days. Thank you for sharing your story.
1. Cynthia Covert Contributor
 <inline-mention username="britterz" user-id="3277505"/> Hugs!! It is extremely helpful to have a community like this one to vent to. I couldn't imagine life without it either.