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Living with chronic pain can be exhausting, frustrating, and isolating. Many people expect that treatment will come from medicaiton, surgery or physical therapy, so it can feel surprising—even confusing—if your GP suggests seeing a psychologist. Why would mental health support be part of a chronic pain treatment plan?
Why Psychology and Chronic Pain Are Linked
Chronic pain—pain lasting more than six months—affects millions of people, and it’s increasingly clear that it impacts both body and mind. Research has shown that pain and emotion are closely connected, sharing many pathways in the brain and nervous system. This is particularly evident in the brain’s limbic system, which processes both emotional responses and physical pain signals. This overlap means that feelings of sadness, stress, or anxiety can actually worsen physical pain, and persistent pain, in turn, can lead to emotional challenges like depression and anxiety.
Patients who receive psychological support as part of their chronic pain management report better pain control, improved mood, and greater overall well-being. In other words, treating the emotional side of pain is essential to managing the physical side.
How a Psychologist Can Help You Manage Chronic Pain
A psychologist can offer you tools and techniques to address the mental and emotional challenges that accompany chronic pain. Some of these common strategies include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a well-known technique for helping individuals reframe negative thoughts. For people with chronic pain, CBT can help reduce the tendency to focus on pain, lessening its impact on daily life.
Pain Acceptance: Accepting pain doesn’t mean giving up. Instead, it’s about acknowledging the pain without letting it dominate your thoughts. Psychologists can guide you through techniques to manage thoughts and actions in a way that reduces the overall burden of pain.
Stress and Anxiety Management: Since stress can intensify pain, learning to manage it is crucial. Psychologists often teach mindfulness or relaxation exercises to help reduce tension and anxiety, which can lead to a reduction in pain perception.
Why Addressing Mental Health is Vital in Chronic Pain Management
Emotional well-being is a powerful factor in the experience of chronic pain. Studies show that people with untreated anxiety or depression have a greater risk of developing chronic pain. Additionally, existing pain can worsen if mental health is left unaddressed, creating a self-perpetuating cycle. This connection is seen in conditions like fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome, where both psychological and physical symptoms need to be managed together for optimal relief.
What to Expect from Psychological Therapy
Many people are initially unsure about psychological therapy, especially if they think of pain as purely a physical issue. But this approach to pain management is more common than you might think. The psychologist will focus on your unique experience of pain, providing a safe space to explore its impact on your mental health, relationships, and daily life.
Psychologists are also able to teach self-management strategies that can make a big difference. Practicing meditation, setting realistic goals, and finding healthier ways to manage stress are just a few examples. These techniques can help you reduce pain’s impact, giving you more control and improving your quality of life.
The Takeaway
If your GP has referred you to a psychologist for chronic pain, you’re not alone, and the recommendation is based on a wealth of research and evidence. Addressing mental health doesn’t mean your pain isn’t real; it means there are multiple ways to reduce its grip on your life. Psychological support has helped many people with chronic pain regain a sense of control and improve their day-to-day well-being.
With the right guidance, you may find that combining psychological therapy with medical treatment offers a more effective, holistic approach to managing your pain..
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