This article covers how chronic pain affects mental health.
Chronic pain can ravage mental health as well as physical conditions. Some scientists estimate chronic pain affects as many as a quarter of the population and is the most common cause of disability worldwide. It can significantly affect a person’s mood, self-esteem, and relationships. The public perception of pain is often one of stoicism rather than seeking help to understand how to cope with the condition.
How Can You Manage Your Mental Health and Chronic Pain
While it is normal for your mental health to be affected by the pain, it is not a natural or acceptable way to live with the condition. Like physical pain, chronic pain is not a normal problem but requires medical assistance. A doctor can treat the pain and mental health problems to help you regain control over your situation. The cbd gummies are a natural pain reliever and a great-tasting alternative to over-the-counter pills.
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Anxiety and Depression
Chronic pain is intimately linked with anxiety, depression, and insomnia and can trigger all three. Anxiety and depression are, in themselves, severe conditions that are often the result of other factors or can be brought on by chronic pain. It may also lead to anxiety or depression because it makes you more aware of the pain in your body. People with chronic pain are often anxious about their future because they worry about what will happen when they cannot perform daily tasks such as getting out of bed and dressed. They are also anxious about the possibility of injury, illness, or worsening pain. They worry about coping when spending time with their family, going to work, or relaxing hurts.
Some experts think migraines are caused by pain or pressure on the nerves in the head, neck, and shoulders. Most people with migraine experience aura – unusual sensations such as blind spots, flashing lights, and sensitivity to sound – before an attack. People who suffer from migraines are twice as likely to have depression or anxiety disorders. Painlessly occurring but painful headaches have been confirmed as a clinical condition called cyclic vomiting syndrome which has been found more in patients with migraines. They generally last four to 72 hours, occur several times a week for months or years, and sometimes go on for months between attacks. Many people have clusters of migraines that come around periodically or when they least expect it. People with migraines may feel they are getting worse in the long term, meaning their anxiety and depression become more severe.
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a condition that causes pain all over the body, especially in the muscles, tendons, and joints. It is a chronic condition that affects an estimated 2-4 percent of the population. People with FMS may wake up in the morning and instantly feel pain, which persists throughout the day. Life becomes a juggling act between activities that trigger pain and those that might relieve it. They become anxious about whether or not something will cause them long-term pain or if they will have relief from it that day. It can cause people to carry around more body weight as they may not be able to work properly anymore. It’s not uncommon for people with fibromyalgia to become depressed because they feel they can’t cope or are constantly suffering in pain.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects the nervous system and can affect any part. Unfortunately, it is a chronic and progressive condition often misdiagnosed and mistreated, leading to poorer quality of life for people with MS. People have less energy to carry out everyday tasks such as eating, getting dressed, or even walking to the toilet. It also impacts their relationships with friends and family, as they are often irritable and can’t unwind after work.
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Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual syndrome is a condition that causes the body to be in severe pain for two weeks before and two weeks after menstruation. For some women, it can last between four and six days. It involves a combination of symptoms such as breast tenderness, headache, fatigue, irritability, cramps, and mood swings. Many women take medication to relieve the symptoms, but this is not always necessary as there are many ways of dealing with PMS apart from taking pills every month. It is usually triggered by changes in hormone levels but can also be caused by an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. Many people with PMS struggle to carry out everyday tasks because they are more focused on the symptoms of their period. They may become more anxious or irritable at this time and experience mood swings from anger to joy or sadness.
In Conclusion
Many people with chronic pain suffer from other psychological conditions. There are various ways of dealing with these conditions apart from medication, and many people manage to lead fulfilling lives independent of their pain. If you have been diagnosed with pain and suffering, seeking advice and help as soon as possible is essential, even if it feels embarrassing. You must treat the physical pain but also the emotional problems which can have a significant impact on your life.
Author: Brittany
Publisher: International Pain Foundation, iPain Blog, Team iPain
