Everyone experiences physical pain. It is an occasional, inevitable, and often a normal part of our daily lives. Chronic pain, however, exists on the extreme end of the life spectrum.

Traditionally, it is defined as an ongoing pain that continues for at least six months. Of course, definitions like this are very much subject to individual interpretation. A common understanding of this kind of discomfort is that chronic pain exists solely as a medical condition. Thus, we think of it as a condition to be treated solely by a physician.

On the contrary, it is of great benefit to grasp the major psychological components at play. Understanding chronic pain in terms of the mind-body connection involved increases the likelihood of successful treatment, coping skills, and your ability to beat depression and thrive.

Examples of Chronic Pain

With chronic pain, there are countless factors and variations of those factors. That said, some common chronic pain examples are:

• Headaches and migraines
• Low back problems
• Fibromyalgia
• Nerve damage
• Arthritis

Left untreated, chronic pain can reduce your daily ability to function. Your quality of life will decrease — not only from the pain but also from associated symptoms like muscle tension, mobility limitations, and low energy.

The Psychology of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain also exacts a hefty emotional price. It reduces your ability to participate in your usual social interactions and events. This trend increases the likelihood of isolation and loneliness while reducing your happiness and satisfaction. The limits pain imposes on you can result in many other forms of mental distress, e.g.

• If your earning ability is impaired, you may experience guilt, shame, and feelings of inadequacy.
• Having no clear path to recovery often results in uncertainty and instability.
• You may chafe at being so dependent on others. You feel like you have become a burden.
• Relationships — at home and work — suffer.
• Even well-meaning people may question if the pain is “all in your head.”

It’s no surprise that up to 50 percent of patients with chronic pain regularly report high levels of anxiety and/or depression.

4 Tips on How to Thrive With Chronic Pain

1. Self-Education

The growing field of “pain management” has its own protocols and practices to offer. It can feel empowering to follow such advice while simultaneously exploring the many unique ways chronic pain is playing out in your life. Do your research and track your experiences.

2. Self-Care

Not everything you do has to aim solely at ending the chronic pain. It can be immensely helpful to take daily steps to subtly improve your quality of life. Areas to consider include:

• Sleep patterns
• Activity and exercise
• Eating habits
• Relaxation techniques

3. Acceptance

Chronic pain may always be there but yet, it’s not easy to accept. You can better thrive by working with it as a temporary reality than struggling against it (or denying it). Acceptance is not the same as surrender. Rather, it is a mindful perspective on your current situation. Instead of asking “why me?” try pondering: “What steps can I take now?

4. Coping Skills

Talk with both your physician and your therapist to create a toolbox of coping skills. The possibilities are endless, for example, distraction, journaling, biofeedback, creating a social support system, visualization, and mindfulness.

Where to Get More Help

You may have already seen a physician. You may already be taking some kind of pain medicine. The parallel track to this type of treatment is to seek out a mental health professional.

The self-education and acceptance discussed above help you understand the full scope of your condition. The pain is not in your head and its impact is not only physical. The physician will focus on the physical changes and managing the bodily pain. Your counselor will guide you in matters related to the following and more:

• Any underlying issues that might exacerbate pain or bodily tension
• The emotional damage caused by chronic pain
• The relational adjustments related to chronic pain

Committing to regular therapy sessions is an ideal complement to any medical approach. Please read more about depression treatment and contact me soon for a consultation.