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Chronic Pain - Did you know
that Psychology works for Chronic Pain?
What is chronic pain?
Chronic Pain is pain that does not go away. When
pain lasts over a period of six months, or beyond the
usual time for recovery, it is said to be chronic. There
are different types of chronic pain, many of which are
not clearly understood. Chronic pain may be associated
with an illness or disability, such as cancer, arthritis
or phantom limb pain. Some types of chronic pain start
after an accident. Others may start as acute episodes
but then the pain becomes constant over time, such as
low back pain. With some types of chronic pain, like
migraine headaches, the pain is recurrent, rather than
constant. There are many other kinds of chronic pain,
such as chronic post surgical pain, fibromyalgia,
temporomandibular disorders, etc. While in some cases
the cause of pain is known, in many other cases it is
not clear why pain persists.
Pain medication is helpful in managing chronic
pain, but the suitability of long term use of medication
needs to be considered in regard to the individual and
the type of pain. Scientists are continuing to search
for medications that take the pain away but also allow
people to continue to function in their daily lives
without side effects.
About one in ten persons have chronic pain.
Chronic pain affects both sexes and while it is most
common in middle age, it can occur at any age - from
infancy to the elderly. Chronic pain can make simple
movements hurt, disrupt sleep, and reduce energy. It can
impair work, social, recreational, and household
activities. People who have been injured in accidents
may develop anxiety symptoms as well as pain. Chronic
pain can have a negative impact on financial security,
and can provoke alcohol or drug abuse.
It can disrupt marital and family relationships.
As no one can see pain, people who experience chronic
pain often feel alone in their suffering. Some people
find that the legitimacy of their pain is questioned.
Given the impact pain can have on quality of life, it is
no surprise that more than a quarter of all people who
develop chronic pain also experience significant
depression or anxiety.
How can a psychologist help a person with chronic
pain?
Psychologists use several different techniques to
help people with chronic pain to recover their strength
and sense of self, and improve the quality of their
lives, in spite of the pain. Specific techniques to help
people with chronic pain include support, education and
skill building in areas such as relaxation, biofeedback,
stress management, problem solving, goal setting, sleep
hygiene, and assertiveness.
Cognitive approaches foster thoughts, emotions
and actions that are adaptive for managing a life with
pain.
Behavioral approaches help people plan their
activities in ways that give them more control without
increasing the pain.
Vocational assessment examines a person's
interests, aptitudes and abilities and is useful for
individuals who may need to change the way in which they
work, or the kind of work they do, because of pain.
Psychological therapy for anxiety and depression is
helpful in managing the emotional consequences of
chronic pain. When indicated, therapy for drug or
alcohol abuse helps people deal with addiction. For
people who find that chronic pain has affected their
personal relationships, marital or family therapy is
often recommended.
Are psychological approaches effective?
Psychological techniques and approaches have been
proven to help people with chronic pain improve the
quality of their lives. People report that they are more
active, less depressed and anxious, and feel more in
control. Even though they continue to have pain, it is
more manageable. While individual therapy may be
offered, often people with chronic pain are treated in
groups where they are able to share their experiences
with others who live with pain. As chronic pain is
complex, psychologists often work on teams with other
health care professionals, such as physiotherapists,
occupational therapists, physicians, nurses, social
workers and pharmacists to help people with disabling
chronic pain develop satisfying and healthy lifestyles.
They can put a man on the moon, and replace a heart, why
can't they get rid of my pain? Or: Is there research
being done to help people with chronic pain? In addition
to working directly with people who have chronic pain,
psychologists have advanced our understanding of pain
through different kinds of research.
Clinical research is done by psychologists in
collaboration with organizations and workers in an
attempt to reduce the incidence of some types of chronic
pain, either through injury prevention or early
intervention programs. In addition, research involving
people with chronic pain has helped develop effective
management approaches.
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