Depression and chronic pain have a strong link that shouldn't be overlooked when you're dealing with either condition. You shouldn't focus only on healing physical symptoms since they may not clear up if you have lingering depression. In the same way, you may have a harder time dealing with depression when you're in pain. Here are ways these two conditions feed off of each other.
Both Are Affected By Neurotransmitters
Chronic pain that's associated with depression isn't imaginary even when there's no obvious injury or medical cause. However, there could be a physical cause for both conditions. When neurotransmitters are out of balance, you might experience depression. When you have chronic pain, you may also have changes in your neurotransmitters that lead to depression. A mental health specialist might recommend treatments that restore the natural levels of neurotransmitters as a way of treating chronic pain and depression. This might include the use of supplements or prescription medication.
Inactivity Can Make Both Conditions Worse
When you're depressed, you may feel like you're weighed down with thick molasses and can barely get the energy to go about your usual activities. Things like working out or playing outdoors are the last things you want to do. When you have chronic pain, you're probably tempted to stay sedentary so you don't aggravate your pain. However, depending on the type of pain you have, exercise could be important for your recovery. By staying active to the best of your ability, you might lessen the pain you feel and keep your body healthy so you prevent injury and further pain. Exercise also helps you feel happier.
Exercise is often a good treatment for depression, however, it can be difficult to get started when you're stuck in a state of depression and chronic pain. A therapist can teach you alternate ways of thinking and give you skills that help motivate you to become more active, and as a result, you may have less pain and your depression may improve.
A Physical Injury Can Leave You Depressed
If you're in constant pain due to an injury from a car accident or because you were hurt on the job, it's natural to be depressed about your situation. Your whole life is changed due to a single accident. In the same way, depression can set in when you have a serious medical condition that causes daily pain that leaves you feeling hopeless. Finding a way to manage your pain is important because reducing your pain could also boost your mood at the same time and help you get more enjoyment out of life even if your pain limits your activities.Chronic pain services can help with this.
When you have chronic pain, consider getting help from a medical professional that deals with chronic pain because they may have more solutions than you'll find from your family doctor. It may be necessary to treat both your physical and mental states to bring about the best healing possible.