Exploring the Intersection of Rare Diseases and Mental Health Within the Diagnostic Odyssey: A Narrative Review and Thematic Synthesis.
This research review looked at how mental health problems and rare diseases are connected, especially during the long process of getting diagnosed. Researchers found four main themes: patients struggling with hope and hopelessness, confusion about their identity, feeling alone or connected to others, and difficulty accessing mental health services that understand rare diseases. The study shows that mental health care and rare disease care need to work better together.