Coping with Chronic Pain and Depression

Chronic pain and depression can be inter-related in many respects as anyone suffering from prolonged or chronic pain will have a tendency to feel stressed and depressed. 

Chronic pain is pain that generally lasts more than three months and can be caused by a diagnosed spinal problem affecting the body's nervous system, such as degenerative disc disease (DDD).   Chronic pain may also be caused by cancer, arthritis or even severe headache.

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Chronic pain can in many cases present no underlying anatomical problem, meaning the prolonged pain experienced in itself, becomes the disease.  Better known as Chronic Pain Syndrome, some people feel a persistent and unrelenting pain that encompasses all other symptoms.

The fallout of such a debilitating condition is that people may not be able to work effectively, they feel exhausted from any kind of physical activity, their appetite can slow, they cannot sleep at night, and they may feel suicidal.

The anxiety and depression resulting from chronic pain can become quite consuming, and can worsen over time.  Increased pain can lead to an increase in stress and depression, creating an unbreakable cycle of chronic pain and depression.

Those suffering from depression lack energy and motivation, they lose interest in every-day activities and often experience or develop disturbed sleeping patterns such as insomnia.  In extreme cases, a depression sufferer is unable to adequately care for themselves or for their immediate family. 

In recent times it has become more 'socially acceptable' to admit to being depressed.  It is hoped that in the not-so-distant future much of the stigma associated with anxiety disorders will also diminish.

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Probably the most important thing you can do is to visit your local doctor or physician and openly and honestly talk about your condition, your symptoms and the suffering your going through.  Your doctor will be able to suggest treatment options for both the physical pain you are experiencing and of your mental state.

A physician can also help you to identify stress or emotional triggers that inflame one's pain.  Emotional or stress triggers can be associated with family breakdown, financial stress, the loss of a job, or the loss of a loved one.  These triggers can continue to contribute to feelings of hopelessness and depression.

Learning to avoid these triggers can enable a person to gain control over how they manage their chronic pain condition and may help to provide some pain relief in the process, without necessarily resorting to medication.

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Many will have no hesitation to talk about their pain but not of their depression as they feel that treating the pain will also heal their associated anxiety and depression.  However feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, and a general loss of interest in life can continue to exacerbate their pain and will continue to affect one's mental state.

By recognising that changes in the physical symptoms of pain can also be related to changes in a person's mental state, gives physicians a better chance of diagnosing treatments for one's physical and mental well being, and can give the sufferer a greater chance of a full recovery.

Anyone that experiences constant feelings of anxiety, mood swings or develops changes in eating or sleeping patterns are advised to consult their local doctor as these are common symptoms of depression.  Preventing chronic pain from developing into depression is a critical step in avoiding a person from falling victim to a major depressive disorder.

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