Functioning in the emotional sphere and ways of coping with chronic connective tissue disease

Chronic illness is a strong stressor, and its occurrence in human life forces the individual to make adaptive changes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the reactions, behaviors, and emotional states of a person in the face of systemic connective tissue disease and ways of coping with this difficult situation. The method of choice was an individual case study. The subject was a 41-year-old patient, diagnosed with diffuse systemic sclerosis (dSSc) 8 years previously. The patient was characterized by lowered self-esteem, the presence of depressive symptoms, low level of hope for success, a reduced sense of competence, a tendency to use stress coping strategies focused on emotions and dominance of anxiety and tension. Emotional stress coping strategies, low level of hope for success, and non-acceptance attitude predispose the person suffering from systemic sclerosis (SSc) to exhibit depressive symptoms.