Pain is one of the most common reasons why people seek medical help. It can be caused by a variety of things, such as an injury, illness, or surgery.
For some people, pain is only a temporary problem that goes away after a while. But for others, pain can be chronic and persist for months or even years.
Chronic pain can significantly impact mental health, leading to adverse effects such as depression, anxiety, and stress. This blog post will explore the relationship between chronic pain and mental health in more detail.
We will look at the effects of pain on mental health and discuss ways to help fix the problem.
What Is Chronic Pain?
The difference between chronic pain and temporary, or “acute,” pain is that acute pain typically passes relatively quickly, while chronic pain persists for much longer. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than 12 weeks. It can be caused by a variety of conditions.
Chronic pain is a prevalent issue for most people. A survey done in 2019 suggests that over 50 million American adults suffer from chronic pain.
That’s nearly 20% of the population!
Chronic pain can significantly impact those who are affected by it, making it difficult to work, socialize, and even sleep.
Acute pain can become chronic if it is not treated properly or if the underlying cause is not resolved. For example, if you have an injury that doesn’t heal properly, the pain can become chronic.
Chronic pain can also be caused by conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and endometriosis.
Symptoms of Chronic Pain
The symptoms of chronic pain vary from person to person. Some people may only experience a mild ache, while others may have severe pain that prevents them from doing everyday activities.
The intensity of chronic pain can also change over time. It may be constant, or it may come and go
Some of the most common symptoms of chronic pain include:
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
If chronic pain goes untreated, it can have a lasting effect on your physical health and your mental health.
Negative Effects of Chronic Pain on Mental Health
Chronic pain can lead to several mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and stress.
A study done by Mental Health America found that:
- 79% of people with arthritis or other chronic pain screened positive or moderate to severe for a mental health condition.
- Chronic pain was linked to worsened mental health status across various mental health conditions, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.
- Those who suffered from chronic pain and served in the military saw an increase in PTSD compared to those who didn’t.
The relationship between chronic pain and mental health is complex. Chronic pain can cause mental health problems and vice versa. For example, someone suffering from depression may be more likely to experience chronic pain.
Depression is a common problem for people with chronic pain. It can make the pain worse and make it harder to cope with the condition. It has also been linked to an increased risk of suicide.
Anxiety can also be associated with chronic pain. The anxiety may be caused by the fear of the pain getting worse or the fear of not being able to cope with the pain.
Stress, while standard for most humans, can be elevated through chronic pain. Stress can make the pain worse and make it harder to cope with the condition. It can also lead to other problems, such as fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
Treating Mental Health Problems Caused by Chronic Pain
There are many ways to treat mental health problems caused by chronic pain.
The most important thing is to get help from a mental health professional.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can treat depression, anxiety, and stress. CBT involves helping you manage your thoughts and emotions more positively. It can also help you change the way you respond to pain.
Medication can also be used to treat mental health problems caused by chronic pain.
Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, and antipsychotic medication can all help treat the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Still, medication can also take a while before it really starts working, and can lead to negative side effects.
Making lifestyle changes can also help improve mental health problems caused by chronic pain.
Exercise, relaxation techniques, and healthy eating can all help to improve your mental health.
Flow Integrative Can Help Through the Power of Ketamine Treatments
While traditional medications and treatments can take weeks or months to see positive results, ketamine infusion therapy can provide relief in as little as one treatment.
Ketamine has been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic pain, depression, and anxiety. In some cases, it can provide relief when other treatments have failed.
At Flow Integrative, we believe that ketamine is high-end gas, we are your vehicle, and it’s time to drive to a place of healing. Flow offers ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), which has shown to be an effective treatment for chronic pain and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Our Flow Integrative team of experts will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs.
We walk you through every step of the process so that you can get a better understanding of how ketamine treatments work and the benefits they provide for people suffering from chronic pain.
If you or a loved one is suffering from chronic pain and is struggling to find relief, contact Flow Integrative and schedule a free consultation with our team.
Let’s develop a plan together so true healing can really start to begin.
