Chronic pain is one of the most common health issues in the United States, and it can have a negative impact on your mental health. Many people experiencing chronic pain don't seek help for the mental health component, but there are effective treatments and support available. Understanding how your experience of persistent pain might affect your moods and emotions can be an important part of an integrative treatment approach.
Chronic pain can make life harder.
Chronic pain can be debilitating, making it difficult to carry out normal daily tasks. You may find yourself unable to sleep or work, and you may feel tired and irritable. You may find that your focus and energy - for hobbies/interests, activities of daily living, work, or relationships - have been affected by your pain experience.
How does chronic pain affect mental health?
Chronic pain can interfere with your mood, and vice versa. Understandably, the stress of living with persistent pain can result in symptoms of depression or anxiety. In fact, many people who suffer from chronic pain also have some sort of mood disorder.
Pain is a complex experience that involves many different parts of the brain. It is not so simple as merely physical sensation, but involves emotions and memories as well. The brain responds differently to acute pain (such as an accident or injury) than it does to chronic pain.
What are some of the mental health symptoms associated with chronic pain?
Depression
Trauma
Insomnia/Sleep Issues
Stress and Irritability
Panic Attacks
Hopelessness
Shame
It can be hard to adjust to a new diagnosis or lifestyle
If you've recently received a diagnosis, it can be hard to adjust to this new information, treatment plan, and lifestyle. You may feel sad or angry or frustrated by your situation. Depending on your situation, you might worry that you are a burden on others, that they have to do everything for you because of your limitations. You may feel isolated, with the sense that people around you don't understand what you are going through. It's natural for these feelings to come up as we adjust our expectations of ourselves and our bodies.
You might also find yourself questioning who exactly "you" are now: Is this new identity different from the person I was before? How will my friends/family react when they learn about my condition? What does my future look like? These questions can lead us down paths of self-doubt and despair, which is why it's important to not just ignore them but to turn intentional, self-compassionate attention to processing your thoughts, emotions, and other facets of your experience.
When you have chronic pain, it affects all aspects of your life -- including your moods.
When you have chronic pain, it affects all aspects of your life -- including your moods. Mood is a part of our mental health and well-being. When we are in good spirits, we feel more positive about ourselves and the world around us; when we're sad or depressed, our outlook on life can be dull or bleak.
In addition to feeling depressed or anxious because of their physical symptoms and limitations, people with chronic pain may also experience mood changes as a result of not getting enough sleep or being under stress (perhaps from managing their schedule, attending doctor appointments, and associated expenses of time and money).
Feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and existential angst are also common experiences for people living with chronic pain. Many times it's hard to feel like friends and family members understand what you're going through.
Furthermore, trauma plays a role in chronic pain. This is especially likely if there was a traumatic incident that led to chronic pain, but can also be a factor in any new life change. (remove this whole sentence, feels reductive - I think trauma and chronic pain could be an entire blog post)
How can therapy help with chronic pain?
Therapy can help you manage your pain, anxiety, and depression. It can also help you cope with the changes in your life. Therapy can be a valuable form of support during this period of adjustment, as well as an opportunity to learn new coping skills. In therapy, you can develop strategies to manage stress in support of your wellness and minimize the interference of stress with your existing condition.
Begin Working With An Asheville Mental Health Therapist
You are not alone if you are noticing the significant impact that chronic pain has on your mood, and your ability to function at work and at home. If you're suffering from chronic pain and want to explore whether therapy might be helpful for you, it's important to find a therapist who is experienced in treating this condition. Our team of caring therapists would be happy to offer support from our Asheville, NC-based practice. You can start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:
Meet with a caring therapist
Start coping with the effects of chronic pain!
Other Services Offered With Strive On Counseling
Our team understands you may experience a number of mental health concerns. This is why we are happy to offer a variety of services in addition to therapy for chronic pain. Other services offered include EMDR therapy, individual counseling, anxiety treatment, therapy for men’s issues, mindfulness, Buddhist counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, teletherapy/online therapy. Other resources we offer include guided meditations, supplements, a list of books and other useful resources, and online courses. If you would like more information about any of these services, please reach out today, and start doing therapy in North Carolina!