Depression and Chronic pain - the fatal twosome

The fatal twosome
People who are depressed and people with chronic pain tend to be less active than thosewho are healthy, because their minds and bodies cause them to slow down. When the two combine, it can be hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. It can be even harder to figure out which one to treat first. Though it is possible to be in pain without ever becoming depressed, it is very likely that if you suffer from chronic pain, you will also battle depression at some point in your life.

How to cope with the twosome
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.

Tips for combating the maladies

• Identify your stress triggers. What bothers you? Could you lessen its effects or avoid it? Sometimes just being aware of what increases your stress and pain levels can help keep things under control.
• Share your thoughts with someone else. Join support groups. Discuss your feelings with your doctor. Be more open with your family and friends and tell them how you are coping. Keeping everything inside allows stress to build up, leading to more pain and an increased risk for depression.
• If you find your prescribed drugs are no longer effective in treating your pain or your depression, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for a change. Sometimes, a medication may simply stop working for you. Try a different medication. Different medications work for different people.
• Don’t get overstressed. 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.
• Rest is very important during this condition. 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 out when you need them.

A head start in the battle
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. It is advisable for patients to talk with their doctors if they experience any of the following common symptoms of depression:

• Changes in sleep patterns
• Changes in appetite
• Feelings of anxiety

The prescribed treatment
Even if you are not experiencing a low in mood, your doctor may prescribe a low-doseantidepressant to treat your chronic pain symptoms. While this may seem strange, the use of antidepressants for pain control is scientifically based and has been going on since the 1960’s. Even at low doses, these medications cause chemical changes in the brain that alter the way pain is perceived. Another reason antidepressants are commonly used to treat chronic pain is that they can stop the cycle that leads to depression before it begins, or at least provide a running start. Depression can intensify feelings of pain, leading to a lower activity level and quality of life, which in turn intensifies the feelings of depression.