Pain and depression – is there a link?
Many people who have chronic pain are depressed and often, people who are depressed have chronic pain. Are they linked? According to research, they are.
When someone has chronic pain, it can get them down. It’s hard waking up every day (if you have slept) with the same pain that will bother you all day long – or the anticipation of pain that you know will come later on in the day.
Pain affects so many aspects of our lives. The pain may slow you down, keep you from doing things you enjoy, or keep you from resting. As you reduce your activities – be they fun or work – frustration can set in. Of course, fatigue also fuels depression. Then, the more depressed you are, the more acutely you may feel the pain. This is definitely a vicious circle.
The National Pain Foundation reviews the link between pain and depression and some ways that you can try to help yourself.
Remember, it’s not unusual for the pain to get you down and you’re not alone if it does. The trick is, now that you know it, let’s see what we can do about it.
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POSTED IN: Chronic Pain
2 opinions for Pain and depression – is there a link?
Hil
Dec 22, 2007 at 5:46 pm
There’s a book called Feeling Good that has been very beneficial to me. It helps me see things realistically and not through a shroud of gloom and doom.
Marijke Durning, RN
Dec 22, 2007 at 11:10 pm
I’m going to look for the book. Thank you for the recommendation.
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