Ahh, okay got it! The wording was throwing me off a bit because I was trying to figure out how it was limiting when there wasn't any other method described. I kept thinking "limited as opposed to what?"
What you are saying makes a lot of sense. The environment/foes wear you down the longer you are there. You can stabilize yourself in a pinch, but your health and sanity will inevitably worsen until you can get your poor rogue out of there and properly recover.
I really appreciate the swift response. Thanks!