Chronic Pain and Depression: Medications, Exercise and Other Treatments
Chronic Pain and Depression: Medications, Exercise and Other Treatments
Is there such a thing as "mind over matter"? Can you "think" your way out of feeling pain?
It may be hard to believe, but research clearly shows that for ordinary people, certain kinds of mental training truly improve chronic pain.
One approach is cognitive therapy. In cognitive therapy, a person learns to notice the negative "automatic thoughts" that surround the experience of chronic pain. These thoughts are often distortions of reality. Cognitive therapy can teach a person how to change these thought patterns and improve the experience of pain.
"The whole idea is that your thoughts and emotions have a profound impact on how you cope" with chronic pain, says Thorn. "There's very good evidence that cognitive therapy can reduce the overall experience of pain."
Cognitive therapy is also a proven treatment for depression. According to Thorn, cognitive therapy "reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety" in chronic pain patients.
In one study Thorn conducted, at the end of a 10-week cognitive therapy program, "95% of patients felt their lives were improved, and 50% said they had less pain." She also says, "Many participants also reduced their need for medications."
The best way to approach managing chronic pain is to team up with a physician to create a treatment plan. When chronic pain and depression are combined, the need to work with a physician is even greater. Here's how to get started:
Chronic Pain and Depression: Managing Pain When You're Depressed
In this article
- Chronic Pain and Depression: A Terrible Twosome
- Chronic Pain and Depression: A Vicious Cycle
- Treating Chronic Pain and Depression: A "Whole-Life" Approach
- Treating Chronic Pain and Depression: Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain
- Treating Chronic Pain and Depression: How to Get Started
- Living With Chronic Pain and Depression: Resources You Can Use
Treating Chronic Pain and Depression: Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain
Is there such a thing as "mind over matter"? Can you "think" your way out of feeling pain?
It may be hard to believe, but research clearly shows that for ordinary people, certain kinds of mental training truly improve chronic pain.
One approach is cognitive therapy. In cognitive therapy, a person learns to notice the negative "automatic thoughts" that surround the experience of chronic pain. These thoughts are often distortions of reality. Cognitive therapy can teach a person how to change these thought patterns and improve the experience of pain.
"The whole idea is that your thoughts and emotions have a profound impact on how you cope" with chronic pain, says Thorn. "There's very good evidence that cognitive therapy can reduce the overall experience of pain."
Cognitive therapy is also a proven treatment for depression. According to Thorn, cognitive therapy "reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety" in chronic pain patients.
In one study Thorn conducted, at the end of a 10-week cognitive therapy program, "95% of patients felt their lives were improved, and 50% said they had less pain." She also says, "Many participants also reduced their need for medications."
Treating Chronic Pain and Depression: How to Get Started
The best way to approach managing chronic pain is to team up with a physician to create a treatment plan. When chronic pain and depression are combined, the need to work with a physician is even greater. Here's how to get started:
- See your primary care physician and tell her you're interested in gaining control over your chronic pain. As you develop a plan, keep in mind that the ideal pain management plan will be multidisciplinary. That means it will address all the areas of your life affected by pain. If your physician is not trained in pain management herself, ask her to refer you to a pain specialist.
- Empower yourself by tapping into available resources. Several reputable national organizations are devoted to helping people live full lives despite pain. See the list below for their web sites.
- Consider integrative therapies; work with your doctor to choose which are best for you.
- Find a cognitive therapist near you with experience in the treatment of chronic pain. You can locate one by contacting the national pain organizations or cognitive therapists' professional groups listed below.
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