<p>Characteristics of interview participants.</p>

These challenges arise from complex care needs, interactions between long-term conditions symptoms and inequalities resulting in a high treatment burden. While previous research on coexisting conditions has largely focused on those with severe mental illness, there remains an important gap in understanding the factors that help or hinder self-management among adults living with coexisting physical and common mental health conditions (anxiety/depression) in the community.</p> <p>Objective</p><p>This study aims to explore the facilitators and barriers to self-management for adults living with a physical long-term condition and coexisting anxiety or depression in the community.</p> <p>Methods</p><p>A qualitative study with in-depth semi-structured interviews was conducted between May and August 2025.

Eight adults living with coexisting physical and mental health conditions in the UK participated. Interview data was recorded, transcribed and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.</p> <p>Results</p><p>Three main themes were generated; (1) Moving beyond sink or swim: scaffolding support to self-manage (2) Self-managing: a choice or systemic exclusion (3) Unseen struggles: learning to live with my long-term conditions.