Here are three of the ways your personality could determine how you cope with chronic pain. Personality traits have long been studied and linked to several aspects of human life. Multiple studies have shown just how strongly personality traits like agreeableness and extroversion, can affect friendships and relationship longevity. Another report in the Harvard Business Review even outlined three ways your personality can affect your earning power. Now, research has come to light showing that certain traits of your personality can affect the way you react to pain management, including your response to chronic pain management while isolated and how you respond to pain relief.
Self Control Shown To Be Key In The Self Regulation Of Chronic Pain
With approximately one in three Americans living with chronic pain, the pain management industry is now a multi-billion dollar one. This is mainly down to the continuing quest by Americans to cope with their pain and navigate the pitfalls it may create in their lives. However, research has shown that some people may be better at coping with chronic pain than others – and it comes down to their personality traits. Traits such as optimism, introversion and self-control, as well as personality disorders, have been linked to the coping abilities of pain patients, as explored in Personality Characteristics of Patients With Pain.
Further research has also found that although self-regulation can be influenced by pain, it can also influence emotions, like those felt by chronic pain patients. So while the onset of pain typically signals negative emotions for the patient, their ability to emulate self-control can dictate their coping response. Recent studies have also shown that self-control can determine the extent of pain relief patients extract from medications such as placebos. According to the study, chronic pain patients that are resilient and straightforward also show a higher chance of enjoying greater relief from placebo medications.
Neuroticism Linked To Poor Physical Pain Management
Neuroticism is a personality trait associated with negative emotions or a highly anxious state. It is referred to as one of the Big Five personality traits found in personality tests, alongside agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness, and extroversion. Those that possess the neuroticism trait are more prone to stress, depression and anxiety. The neuroticism trait has also been linked to a poor emotional coping mechanism, which can lead to over-exaggeration of pain symptoms or premature requests for medication without trying other coping mechanisms. One good illustration is seen when comparing the advocate and architect personality types. While advocates can be highly emotional, those with an architect personality type tend to focus more on strategic solutions. When applied in the context of pain management, INFJ or advocate personalities are more likely to display neuroticism and focus less on rational pain management solutions when chronic pain strikes.
Anger Management Can Aid In Pain Moderation And Reduction
A common emotional side effect of chronic pain is anger. Anger is the most prevalent emotion in chronic pain patients, due to its ability to help the patient feel in control as compared to other emotions like sadness or shame. According to a 1999 study, 70 percent of chronic pain patients have reported feeling angry at themselves or healthcare professionals.
However, the inability to control such anger can in turn, harm a patient’s mental and physical health. As a result of a marked decline in both aspects of health, chronic pain can increase. These patients were also more likely to show increased muscle tension and heightened pain severity, highlighting their diminished capacity to moderate the extent of their chronic pain symptoms. However, patients that choose to embrace anger management practices, including the practice of meditation and diaphragmatic breathing, have reported a marked increase in their self-awareness and pain levels.
Personality traits are intertwined with numerous aspects of a person’s life. In the past, the link between relationships and your personality was well documented. More recently, personality traits have been linked to the prevalence of social anxiety disorder and individual happiness. While everyone has their own way of coping with recurring pain, it turns out that many aspects of our responses are down to possessing certain personality traits, rather than individual circumstances.
