 |
Chronic Pain and DepressionChronic Pain and Depression go hand in hand. I honestly don't think I've ever had a client with chronic pain who didn't struggle with depression at least at times, and many of them have had ongoing problems with depression. *It's hard to see how it could be any other way.
To get the latest information on new alternatives in pain management, subscribe to our monthly e-zine, The Chronic Pain Update, by filling out the subscription form to the left. Depression and chronic pain can also be linked by: *The effect of pain itself in "wearing you down" *Decreased activity leading to less energy and depression *Loss of income and financial worries *Hopelessness about returning to your previous level of function *Increased worry and stress resulting in more depression *Inability to work due to pain can result in a disruption in your sense of identity *Conflict with family members causing depression *Decreased sexual functioning
*Not being able to engage in preferred recreational activities
*Problems sleeping, which can cause or exacerbate chronic pain and depression. *Frustration with medical doctors or other systems, such as worker's compensation or disability
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for PainSince pain and depression are so closely linked, it's not surprising that a therapy that works for depression can also help with chronic pain. Read more here to learn how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help in the management of chronic pain.More Problems Related to Depression and Chronic PainDepression inevitably makes your situation worse. It results in an increase in anger and irritability, which can cause more problems with your family or at work. Depression and chronic pain together can cause real difficulties with concentration and being able to focus.
Click here for more information on chronic pain, anger and forgiveness.
How Depression Impacts Chronic Pain PerceptionBesides the complications from depression listed above, the fact is that depression often makes the perception of pain more severe. Without getting too much into brain chemistry, depression can result in less serotonin in the nervous system, which can increase pain sensitivity.Summary of Chronic Pain and Depression*Depression related to chronic pain is not surprising, not a sign of weakness, and you are not alone.*The take away in terms of treatment is that if your depression can be successfully treated, that will have a positive impact on pain perception.
*The vicious cycle of increased pain, decreased activity, and increased depression can be reversed. The standard of care for treating the depression that come with chronic pain is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Return from the Chronic Pain and Depression page to the Home page
|
Chronic pain impacts so many important spheres of a person's life that it has a lot of ways to work on our mood. For example, if your chronic pain results in an inability to do the things you used to do, like work or carry your kids, it will generate a sense of loss and grief in your life, and loss, as you know, often leads to depression.
That's one reason you'll often see anti-depressants on the list of medications prescribed at times for chronic pain. This includes older anti-depressants like amitryptiline and newer ones like Cymbalta (TM). More on anti-depressant medication for chronic pain.
