My name is Ingeborg and I’m a psychologist from Denmark. I am interested in health psychology, which looks at how our body, mind and environment work together to affect our wellbeing. I completed a PhD on lung rehabilitation at university and I have been keen to support people with lung conditions ever since.
I have already helped to create the European Psychologists and Behavioural Scientists group within the European Respiratory Society. It feels natural to connect this group with the ELF Mental Health Working Group because we share the common goal of improving the wellbeing of people with lung conditions and their families. By having a better mental health, people with lung conditions can have a better quality of life.
I believe that it is important for professionals to work with people who have a lived experience of a lung condition because their stories can guide us to what truly matters in care and support.
Feeling like you cannot breathe is probably one of the scariest experiences a person can have. For most people, breathing is automatic and effortless – until it is not.
Breathing can be challenging for people with lung conditions and they are likely to experience either short-term or long-term breathlessness. This can cause people to worry they may stop breathing and begin to avoid some situations. Many people living with lung conditions, for example, become less physically active and stay closer to home as a result. This can lead to them becoming isolated.
This can often happen slowly and many people with lung conditions ignore these changes until they begin to feel like a burden and require significant support to recover.
To improve their mental health, there needs to be more teamwork across disciplines and those who are impacted by a decline in mental health must receive support on time. Although the ELF mental health working group are discussing priorities, the European Psychologists and Behavioural Scientists group at the European Respiratory Society are calling for mental health expertise to be integrated into the general care of people with lung conditions. We hope that we can help develop practical guidelines to improve the mental health of people with lung disease as these are currently lacking.
We have also educated other healthcare professionals to detect mental health challenges early before they become a larger issues. Early intervention can make a huge difference for people living with lung conditions.
Winter is a season filled with memories and traditions, which can sometimes be bittersweet. If you are living with a lung condition, you might feel grief over changes in what you are able to do – perhaps you are no longer the one preparing the big festive meal or decorating the house. These feelings of loss can lead to frustration or sadness, which might feel easier to keep to yourself. Sharing these emotions with others can lighten the burden and support you.
Winter also brings cold, dark and slippery conditions that can make it harder to go outside. It is normal to feel nervous about falls or struggling to breathe in cold weather. However, if staying indoors becomes your routine, it can reduce your fitness and mood. My tip is to make small changes to your routine, like inviting someone to join you on an outdoor walk for safety. This allows you to maintain your usual activities as much as possible. Having someone you can call for help if needed can also give you extra confidence.
Living with a lung condition is a journey and mental health is a big part of that. But you do not have to manage everything all by yourself. It is okay to ask for help – whether it’s from family, friends or healthcare professionals. Making small steps can take you in the right direction.
If you are interested in joining the mental health working group or would like further information, please get in touch.
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