How to Deal with Chronic Pain and Depression
Making life changes — which rely on social, psychological, and personal factors — will contribute significantly to easing daily symptoms for people suffering from chronic pain and depression.
Chronic Pain can lead to depression. When depression occurs, the pain can seem worse. It’s important to manage both with a multidisciplinary approach before a vicious cycle occurs.
These four (4) strategies can be helpful in the treatment of depression caused by chronic pain:
1. Recognize pain-inducing stressors.
Keeping track of your pain symptoms and behaviors will help you recognize any stressors that may be causing your pain. Journaling will help you keep track of stressors that cause pain.
A journal should also be shared with your health care provider to obtain the best possible treatment for Chronic Pain Relief.
2. Get a depression diagnosis as soon as possible.
Feeling depressed or anxious, experiencing a lack of enthusiasm or energy, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, having feelings of despair, changes in appetite or changes in sleep habits are all signs of depression.
Please discuss these changes with your healthcare provider. because early detection of depression associated with chronic pain disorders needs to be treated before it worsens.
3. Take a multidisciplinary approach.
Depression symptoms also worsen as chronic pain interferes with daily tasks, relationships, work and finances. Both a pain management physician and a mental health specialist should be consulted and notified of specific symptoms to obtain appropriate assistance.
4. Consider physical therapy.
Because of the effects of chronic pain, people often resist physical activity.
Gentle exercise is helpful for pain relief and depression.
Chronic pain can worsen if you don’t exercise, leading to depression in people who have both conditions.
Individuals with chronic pain may benefit from safe activities provided by a physical therapist.
Copyright ©2021 by Winifred Bragg, MD. All Rights Reserved. www.homeprotherapy.com
