Living in constant pain every day of your life takes a toll not only on your body but also on your mental health. Day in and day out, you deal with physical pain despite efforts to feel better. It’s enough to make anyone feel down.
But can you develop depression from pain? The answer is complex, but the two are very closely related. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), roughly 55.6% of U.S. adults living with chronic pain also experience anxiety and depression symptoms. If that’s you, you can find some comfort in knowing you’re not alone.
While living with depression and chronic pain can be overwhelming and isolating, there are ways to find some relief. In this article, we’ll delve into the relationship between depression and chronic pain and how you can best manage them.
Depression Treatment in San Diego
Comorbidity of Depression and Chronic Pain
Several studies show that individuals living with chronic pain are at a higher risk for depression. In other words, there is a high comorbidity rate between depression and chronic pain. This can be attributed to the bidirectional relationship between the two conditions.
Chronic pain can lead to the development of depression. And depression from pain? That can happen, too. Depression can worsen pain perception. It can also contribute to chronic pain progression.
It’s important to note that not everyone with chronic pain will develop depression. The comorbidity of the two conditions depends on several factors. For one, if you have a genetic predisposition to depression, you may be at risk for it if you have chronic pain.
Another factor is the type of chronic pain you endure. Depression from pain is more common among people with conditions like low back pain, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. Also, pain severity and duration, the underlying cause, and your coping methods can influence the risk of depression.
The Depression and Chronic Pain Connection
Chronic pain disrupts all aspects of your life. You may not be able to work as much (or at all), you may struggle to sleep or exercise, and you likely don’t engage in social activities as much. Chronic pain can rob you of all of those things and more. And that can understandably contribute to depression.
Experiencing physical pain comes with an emotional component. Meaning, when you feel pain, you may also feel anxious, irritable, and frustrated. But as the pain subsides, it’s likely these feelings do, too.
However, when it comes to chronic pain, it’s a lot more difficult to shake those uncomfortable emotions. In turn, that could lead to increased stress and an overall dark mood. You may ruminate on the thought that you may never experience a life without pain again. Or you may think about the possibility that you might eventually feel even worse.
This leads to sadness, grief, and anger. And as you can see, it’s not difficult to understand how living with chronic pain could lead to depression.
The Biological Connections Between Depression and Chronic Pain
The link between depression and chronic pain isn’t solely psychological. There is also a biological basis. Researchers have identified several neurobiological mechanisms contributing to the co-occurrence of the two conditions.
Firstly, there are the shared neurotransmitter systems involved in pain perception and mood regulation. Neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine play a crucial role in both pain processing and mood and emotion regulation. When dysregulated, it can lead to the development of both chronic pain and depression.
Chronic pain can also trigger your body’s stress response system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Prolonged HPA axis activation can lead to increased stress hormones like cortisol. This can have detrimental effects on your physical and mental health. Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels are linked to depression development and the exacerbation of pain symptoms.
On top of that, chronic pain can lead to structural and functional changes in the brain, particularly in areas involved in pain processing and emotional regulation. These neuroplastic changes can contribute to ongoing chronic pain and depression, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.
Several factors contribute to the depression and chronic pain connection, including:
- Decreased pain tolerance: If you have major depression, you may experience decreased pain tolerance. In turn, this heightens the negative effects of chronic pain.
- Vulnerability: As mentioned earlier, if you are more susceptible to depression, you are more at risk when dealing with chronic pain. This could include substance abuse, a family history of depression, or experienced trauma.
- Something bigger: Depression and chronic pain may actually be symptoms of an underlying issue like fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis.
Treatment Options for Depression and Chronic Pain
We understand this situation is very delicate and complex. Treating depression and chronic pain requires a multifaceted approach addressing physical and mental health. At BOLD Health, we tailor your treatment to meet your needs. We consider all aspects of what you deal with on a daily basis, as well as historical, biological, and structural underpinnings.
To treat depression and chronic pain, it’s best to take a holistic approach. Combining medication, therapy, stress-management techniques, and lifestyle changes can go a long way in helping you find relief.
- Medication: You may be prescribed antidepressants to help alleviate symptoms of both depression and chronic pain. Additionally, certain pain medications may also have a positive impact on mood and depression.
- Therapy: Partnering with one of our experienced mental health clinicians for depression therapy in San Diego can help. Therapy is a highly effective way to address the psychological and emotional aspects of depression and chronic pain. You’ll develop coping strategies, challenge negative thought patterns, and improve your overall emotional well-being.
- Stress management: Practicing stress-management techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness can be incredibly valuable. They can help you cope with the emotional and psychological aspects of your condition. They can also help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression and maybe even influence your perception of pain.
- Lifestyle changes: While we understand maintaining a healthy sleep routine can be challenging, if you can manage it, it can help. Other lifestyle changes include physical activities within your capability, even if it’s physical therapy. Exercise can positively impact your mood, reduce pain perception, and improve your overall health. Even if it’s a little light stretching, any activity is great!
Another important lifestyle change is being cognizant of what you put in your body. Maintain a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and avoid substances.
We’ll Help You Find Life Fulfillment Again at BOLD Health
Living with any mental health concern makes life challenging. But living with chronic pain and depression is a whole different level of discomfort. At BOLD Health, we understand this and take it into account when curating your depression treatment. You are a unique individual with unique treatment needs, and we’ll make sure we meet them.
Your depression treatment in San Diego may include:
- individual therapy
- group therapy
- family therapy
- medication management
- intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- ketamine treatment
Because we are a physician-led practice, you’ll get care from some of the most qualified, compassionate, and understanding therapists around. Contact us to learn more about our options for depression therapy in San Diego. We can’t wait to help you find joy in life again.