Chronic pain and depression often go hand in hand. Living with chronic pain is extremely difficult, and when you suffer from depression simultaneously, it can be hard to see any relief in sight.
Depression can affect chronic pain, and chronic pain can lead to depression. It’s a vicious cycle. Depression can make chronic pain worse, or if you suffer from depression, you can also suffer from physical pain brought on by depression. Years of study have shown that depression, stress, emotional trauma, and repressed emotions can cause persistent, real pain called Psychophysiologic Disorder or PPD.
However, whether you’re suffering from emotional pain or physical pain caused by depression, there are some things you can do to help with your pain. Here are four ways to ease the pain associated with chronic depression.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment
Early diagnosis and treatment may sound like a no-brainer, but early detection and treatment of depression and the pain associated with it can help to prevent both conditions from getting worse. Speaking to a physician when you first experience symptoms of depression, especially if you’re experiencing acute pain, can help the physicians recommend the best treatment. Treating both conditions offers the best chance for a positive outcome and relief from chronic depression and pain.
Identify and Avoid Stress Triggers
When pain lasts more than three to six months, it is generally considered chronic pain. Back pain or neck pain, diffuse muscle aches, or pain in muscle tender points are a few common forms of pain that often accompany depression. Stress can cause the pain associated with depression to become more acute, chronic, occur more often, and last longer.
To help ease the pain associated with chronic depression, learn to recognize and avoid stressors. For example, if driving to work in heavy traffic increases your stress, find an alternative way to get to work, such as carpooling, taking a cab, or riding the bus or subway.
Try New and Alternative Treatments
The medical industry is constantly developing new and innovative treatments for depression, pain, and other chronic conditions. Acupuncture, meditation, transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS, and different types of new and alternative therapies are proving to be effective in treating depression and the pain that often comes with it. TMS uses electromagnetic fields in the brain to stimulate neurons. This, and similar therapies, are particularly beneficial for patients who do not handle traditional medications and prescriptions well.
See a Physician
If the pain associated with chronic depression is severe, seeing a physician specializing in pain treatment can help. If you’re only receiving treatment for depression, find a doctor that can prescribe painkillers or recommend other forms of treatment that can be beneficial in helping to ease your pain. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that opioids, excessive bed rest, and restrictions on certain activities can worsen depression.
The physical pain associated with chronic depression should be treated and monitored closely by medical experts to ensure proper treatment and relief of both conditions. Through appropriate treatment with antidepressants, new and alternative forms of pain treatment, and controlled use of painkillers, you can ease the pain associated with depression.
