Suicide Prevention for Chronic Pain Sufferers

Suicide Prevention for Chronic Pain Sufferers  

Chronic pain is pretty common in society today. In fact, you may already know several people who struggle with severe discomfort that may limit their ability to get the most out of life.

You might even be one of the 20.4% of adults in the United States who deal with chronic pain, or one of the 8% who have high-profile chronic pain that limits life or work activities on the majority of days each week. This means that over a quarter of adults in the U.S. may be dealing with pain that isn’t always noticeable to others.

Considering that severe and unrelenting pain impacts what a person can do every day, it’s understandable that people who have this condition may also have a higher risk for suicide. Exploring why this increased risk exists and what you can do about it helps those who are the most vulnerable get the help they need. 

What’s Chronic Pain?

Pain is often classified into the categories of acute and chronic. Acute pain often develops suddenly and eases up as your body heals. Pain is considered acute when it lasts for less than six months.

Chronic pain can last for three months or beyond what the expected healing time for an injury is, but it is easier to diagnose after the six-month mark. With chronic pain, a person may feel a combination of physical and emotional symptoms that include heightened symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Studies have shown that approximately one in 10 people who die from suicide had signs of chronic pain. Experiencing limited abilities on top of daily discomfort takes a toll on a person’s mental health, and you might notice that you or a loved one expresses more frustration and despair the longer they deal with chronic pain. Or, someone may be stoic and hide their mental and physical anguish. As dire as this statistic is, it helps to know that finding the right types of support can lower a person’s suicide risk and provide them with tools that they can use to manage their symptoms.

If someone that you know is dealing with thoughts of suicide, reach out to a suicide hotline for help. If there is an immediate risk that someone might act on their thoughts, then call 911 right away.

Do Common Chronic Pain Drugs Increase the Risk of Suicide?

Physicians often prescribe opioids to help people address their chronic pain. While these medications provide relief, they also have the effect of potentially increasing someone’s risk of suicide by 40 to 60%. Prescription opioid withdrawal can also generate symptoms such as anxiety and feelings of despair if a person tries to quit using the drugs without the help of medical professionals. Access to opioid treatment helps chronic pain sufferers reduce their chances of accidentally overdosing or considering suicide.

What Can Chronic Pain Sufferers Do to Decrease Their Risk?

People with chronic pain have several options for decreasing their risk of suicide.

First, it’s important for them to be honest with their treatment team about how they manage their pain. Taking more pain medication than they’re prescribed, for example, is one red flag. 

If you find yourself taking an extra pain pill here or there, let your doctor know so they can adjust your treatment plan without risking addiction. And if you noticed your loved one is going through their pain medications faster than normal, broach the issue with them. Maybe they need a different medication or to speak to their provider about what would be more appropriately prescribed to manage their pain levels.

Mention your concern, and ask them to get professional help. 

You might also consider non-medication strategies for easing your pain. Meditation and mindfulness can both help. And finding new hobbies is a great way to channel your energy into something productive, instead of focusing on your pain.  

What Can Doctors Do to Reduce the Risk of Suicide in Chronic Pain Sufferers?

Approximately 45% of people who died from suicide saw a doctor the month prior to the event. This places physicians in the perfect position to direct chronic pain sufferers towards resources for help.

Doctors should look for signs that a patient is struggling with a drug dependency or other mental health conditions. If a physician notices that a patient has experienced a new and recent stressor, expresses thoughts of suicide or is misusing their pain medication, they can refer them to additional treatment services to make sure they get the support they need to overcome their challenges.

When you or a loved one suffer from chronic pain, it becomes more critical than ever to keep an eye on your mental health. Finding ways to manage pain and address opioid dependency allows you to look forward to each new day and enjoy the happiness that comes from knowing that you have more control over your future.

Author: Dr. Tasnova Malek, National Suicidal Prevention Center, Bangladesh Medical College

Publisher: International Pain Foundation; iPain Blog