One of the vicious side effects of dealing with pain on a daily basis is depression. Many people can experience a decline in their mental health as they try to live as normally as possible despite the pain they experience. Regardless of the source of your pain, you need to help safeguard your mental health.
Learn more about the relationship between pain and depression and what you can do to help maintain your mental health as you live with a painful physical condition.
Depression and pain are closely linked. Some of the link is psychological, but there are physical contributors from the pain that directly cause depression in many individuals. The physical contributors include:
Psychological contributors are also a huge factor in depression caused by pain. Living with pain takes a lot of mental energy. A person with chronic pain might not be able to do the things they normally used to enjoy, or they might suffer a loss of independence. They might experience work or relationship changes. All of these factors can lead to depression.
Even though your pain might have come first, treating depression in patients with pain is important because depression contributes to higher pain levels. Around 85% of patients with chronic pain have symptoms of depression, and treating depression can actually help with the prognosis of treating your pain and any other contributing conditions.
Increased stress hormones can cause aches and decrease your health and your body's ability to heal. Anxiety and depression increase bodily stress along with pain, so both feed on each other, worsening both problems.
Some people feel that if their pain goes away, their depression will disappear. However, your doctor will likely recommend treatment for both pain and any mood disorder, because chronic pain can be tricky to treat, and depression can be very dangerous to a patient's overall health.
You do not have to be completely at the mercy of your pain. Many patients can protect their mental health by:
Living with pain does not have to mean living with anxiety and depression. For more information, contact us at Specialists In Pain Management.
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DISCLAIMER: You will receive a call to remind you of your appointment. If you must cancel your appointment, we would appreciate at least 24 hours notice. No-shows may be charged a missed appointment fee of $25. Please bring your insurance card, a picture ID and your current medications to each visit.
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Address: 281 N. Lyerly St, Suite 200,
Chattanooga, TN 37404
Fax: 423-698-0511
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Address: 4957 Swinyar Drive, Suite 101,
Ooltewah, TN 37363
Fax: 423-362-7778
Phone: 423-698-0850
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Cleveland, TN 37312
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