Once pain is labeled as chronic, then, it will have been present for three months or more. Stress and chronic pain are often inter-linked, and stress manifests through the frustrations experienced due to pain infiltrating every aspect of life. The movement may be restricted and pain overwhelming. This can certainly impact mood. It can be the sheer hopelessness of the situation that eats away at the will which eventually spirals into depression and anxiety.
If you are constantly suffering in this way, then, you will identify with this. There may be a feeling that there is no escape or respite from the pain.
Symptoms of anxiety or depression.
- Mood swings
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Not sleeping
- Constantly tired
- No ambition
- Feelings of dread
Any kind of chronic pain can trigger mood swings which eventually lead to a depressed state and when that happens, know that it is not your fault. Pain is emotional and will be connected to the physical experience. Over time, it can easily lead to isolation as being with others and trying to maintain or show a happier state of mind, may feel exhausting. Once sleep patterns are broken, the triggers can easily be set, and it is a short step to a depressive mood or irritability.
What can I do about the pain?
It is important that you seek advice about your health condition if you have not already done so. If you have a diagnosis and have had treatment which is not working, you need to return to your doctor and ask for additional support. Talking to a trained therapist or medical pain specialist can help too. This can lead to coping mechanisms which will carry you through chronic pain and this makes life a little easier because there is a route out of pain. A therapist can also help with negative thinking patterns and help you to establish other more beneficial thought patterns.
It can also help if your immediate family is included in this as they may play an important role if they too understand the link to emotion through chronic pain. In addition, it’s worth seeking professional advice on a diet by seeing a nutritionist or dietician as sometimes, there are triggers with certain foods that set off the pain. It is worth considering all options.
Chronic pain and exercise.
When chronic pain leads to anxiety and depression, you may not always be able to exercise regularly. It would depend on the cause of the pain and of course, medical advice given. Exercise is known to help with feel feelings of depression and anxiousness, however, you have to work with the body and not against it. If knee joints are the main cause of pain, you would avoid weight-bearing exercise. It may be that you can adapt some exercise programs to suit you – swimming or yoga for example. This way, you exercise safely when you feel you are able.
However, when the chronic pain starts to overwhelm and, if it starts to spiral into depression then, seeking help from a pain management company would be the best advice. A medical center that specializes in pain management will understand the full implications of this and will have an array of medications and knowledge at their disposal. This can be the pivotal point where you gain relief and control and, freedom from pain. In other words, you get your life back on track.
Simply knowing that this kind of pain management is available can help lift some anxiety, plus, a pain management center will be able to guide you and prescribe the exact medication that combats the kind of pain problem you have. It is administered by specialists in their field and so, help is available. There is hope. Take the first steps to pain management today.