By Dr. John Lawrence Dennis, Psychologist – Aventino Medical Group, Rome
More Than Physical Pain
When I meet someone newly diagnosed with a rheumatic disease, I often see more than just physical pain. There’s a shift taking place—an invisible weight settling in as they begin to reimagine their future. It’s not just about symptoms or treatment plans. It’s about identity, relationships, daily habits, and an uncertain horizon.
The Emotional Impact of a Diagnosis
As a psychologist, I’ve learned how deeply a diagnosis can shake a person. It can bring relief—finally understanding what’s been happening—but also fear, grief, and anxiety. That emotional mix is entirely human. And it’s precisely why psychological support should be part of the care pathway from the very beginning.
Creating a Space to Process Emotions
In my work, I help people find space to process these emotions. Talking openly, without judgment, can prevent emotional distress from quietly taking over. It’s also the first step in reclaiming a sense of agency.
Building Coping Strategies
Together, we develop coping strategies that are realistic and tailored to the person’s life. Stress management techniques, cognitive reframing, mindfulness, and even something as simple as journaling or reconnecting with joy—these are small tools that, over time, build resilience.
Practical Tools That Help
Here are some of the practices I often introduce:
- Mindful breathing to anchor the nervous system
- Emotional journaling to give shape to what feels chaotic
- Short mindfulness exercises to stay grounded
- Reframing unhelpful thoughts with more balanced ones
- Finding moments of pleasure and connection, even in difficulty
Emotional and Physical Health Are Intertwined
What I want people to know is this: emotional wellbeing and physical health are not separate. When we tend to one, we influence the other. Chronic stress can worsen inflammation and pain. Depression can make it harder to follow treatment. But with the right support, people often become more motivated, more in tune with their needs, and better able to stick with their care.
A Path Toward Hope and Healing
Living with a rheumatic disease is not easy. But it doesn’t have to mean living without hope or direction. Psychological care doesn’t make the illness disappear—but it can transform how you carry it. It can help you feel more like yourself again.
And that, to me, is what healing really means.