Developing meaningful relationships is a process. Dating, marriage, and living "happily ever after" can have challenging moments. When you factor in chronic arthritis pain, the challenges become magnified. Arthritis pain can be isolating and cause you to shun socializing and intimate relationships. Dealing with pain on a daily basis can lead to depression, severe fatigue, and poor self-image. It may seem easier to settle for being lonely than to put yourself into awkward social situations.

Young people with arthritis are especially vulnerable. It's hard to get beyond the "who would want me" mentality or believe that you can have a loving relationship. Don't give up! Even though arthritis pain can interfere with intimacy and spontaneity, it's important to focus on solutions. Arthritis Care offers ideas for improving intimate relationships in their booklet, "Relationships, Intimacy and Arthritis".

Related Resources:

• Guide to Sexuality and Arthritis
• In Sickness and In Health
• The Soothing Power of Snuggling
• How Arthritis Complicates Sexuality
• POLL: What Impact Has Arthritis Had on Your Sexuality?

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• Join Us in Our Arthritis Forum

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