Coping Strategies For Depression and Chronic Pain
Counseling is a valuable tool in the fight against depression associated with chronic pain. Being able to talk about your pain in a non-threatening environment can relieve some of the stress associated with your condition. Additionally, finding medications and treatment strategies that work for you will eventually give you more control over your pain, which is one of the keys in battling pain-associated depression.
What else can you do?
- Learn to identify stress triggers. What upsets you? Is there any way you can avoid it, or allow it to affect you less? Sometimes just being aware if what increases your stress and pain levels can help keep things under control. Try keeping a pain journal.
- Talk to someone. Find support groups. Discuss your feelings with your doctor. Tell you family and friends how you are coping. Keeping everything inside allows stress to build up, leading to more pain and an increased risk for depression.
- Try a different medication. Different medications work for different people. Sometimes, a medication may simply stop working for you. If you find your prescription is no longer effective in treating your pain or your depression, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for a change.
- Do as much as you can. Even when you are having a bad day, it is important to keep a steady level of activity. Allowing pain to interfere with your daily routine puts you at risk for losing endurance. It also increases feelings of helplessness, a factor that contributes to depression.
- Relax. Find outlets for stress wherever possible. Read a book, take a bath, or find a quiet place to sit for a few minutes. Keep stress levels in check by taking time outs when you need them.
Finding ways to deal with stress and cope with chronic pain can give you a head start in the battle against depression. Unfortunately, both depression and chronic pain come with a stigma that keeps some people from seeking the treatment they need. Even though these conditions may be uncomfortable to talk about, keeping them in the open is the best way to keep them in check.
Sources:
Deardorff, William. "4 Tips To Help Cope With Chronic Pain and Depression." Spine Health, 8/17/05.
Clark, Michael. "Managing Chronic Pain, Depression & Antidepressants: Issues and Relationships." The John Hopkins Arthritis Center. Accessed December 20, 2008.
The Relationship Between Pain, Depression and Mood: An Interview With Rollin Gallagher, MD, MPH. National Pain Foundation. Accessed December 20, 2008. http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/News_PainAndDepression_GallagherInterview.asp
Depression and Pain. Harvard Health Publications. Accessed December 20, 2008. http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Depression_and_pain.htm
