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CBT for PainCBT does not require you to be in therapy for years or talk about childhood trauma; it is very goal-oriented and specific to making real-life changes.
Applying CBT to Pain CBT works for depression and given the relationship between depression and chronic pain, it makes sense that reducing depression would make it easier to cope with chronic pain. CBT can do much more than that if it's targeted directly toward the problem of chronic pain.CBT for pain sounds simple; if done properly it can be very sophisticated and requires significant therapist skill. CBT includes 1) behavioral modeling techniques, 2) cognitive interventions, 3) dealing with psychosocial stressors, and 4) assertiveness training interventions.
CBT for Pain: Behavioral Modeling TechniquesThese techniques work to actually help you start doing things that will ultimately improve your functioning and decrease your pain. Examples of behavioral modeling techniques include:*Pain monitoring - may include using a pain journal to keep track of when your pain occurs, what else is happening at the time, and the severity of your pain. This information can give you a lot of power in identifying potential pain management techniques. *Activity monitoring - goes hand in hand with pain monitoring, helping you see at what times of the day you are most physically active, and how this relates to your pain levels. *Scheduling and pacing - helps you translate this information into action that helps you begin to increase activity levels in a way that does not cause pain flare-ups. *Relaxation and distraction techniques - help you decrease your level of anxiety and feeling of being keyed up, and also learn to focus your attention in such as way as to minimize the impact of your pain.
CBT for Pain: Cognitive InterventionsThese interventions will help you begin to identify, assess and change the thought patterns that can develop from being in chronic pain and are currently exacerbating chronic pain. Thought patterns addressed include:*Automatic thoughts about pain - that may cause additional anxiety and contribute to depression. *Pain-related imagery - pain may trigger certain "pictures in the mind" that cause anxious and depressive reactions. *Intermediate and core beliefs - about health in general or pain in particular.
CBT for Pain: Psychosocial StressorsChronic pain comes with its own set of psychosocial stressors, which then exacerbate your emotional response to your pain. Psychosocial stressors that people often need help with include:*Problems with medical care; *Tension with friends or family; *Occupation and financial problems; and *Legal issues such as disability or workman's compensation.
CBT for Pain: Assertiveness TrainingAssertiveness training will primarily help you be more confident and effective in advocating for yourself when you talk with healthcare providers. For some people this would take the form of making sure you're prepared to make sure you're concerns are being heard, and that you understand all your treatment options.CBT for Pain: What You Should ExpectExpect an active type of therapy in which your therapist makes a lot of suggestions. You should be getting therapy "homework" that helps you identify and change your negative thoughts about your pain, yourself, and your future.If you think CBT for pain may be helpful for you, ask your doctor for a referral, or check with a pain management center in your area. Make sure your therapist has experience working with people with chronic pain.
CBT for Pain page to the Chronic Pain and Depression page
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