As a parent with a chronic illness, I know that finding time to care for ourselves can be difficult and something overlooked or put off until “there’s time.” As a mental health professional, I know the research shows a strong overlap between mental health symptoms and chronic pain. A 2025 study by Rachel Aaron et al. which systematically reviewed 347,468 individuals with chronic pain from 50 different countries, found 39.3 % of individuals were positive for symptoms of depression and 40.2% positive for symptoms of anxiety. The study goes on to note significant rates of depression and anxiety for younger…
Author: Holly Dwyer
Holly Dwyer
Holly Dwyer is a Licensed Professional Counselor working in outpatient behavioral health in rural Wisconsin. She has been practicing in the mental health field for 6+ years with kids, adolescents, and adults with various mental health conditions and life transitions. Holly also has lived experience as a parent with a chronic illness. At the age of 7, Holly was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Her condition persisted into adulthood and, after various biologic treatments and joint replacements, remains an active part of her daily living. As a mom to two littles (age 4 and 7 months) Holly sought out ways to support parents with various abilities by co-facilitating connect groups with the Arthritis Foundation, starting a social media presence, Thriving Together Podcast, and authoring a soon to be released (Fall 2026) children’s book, "The Invisible." Her goal is to equip parents to navigate this intersect of parenting and chronic illnesses from her perspective as a mental health professional.