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Do I Have Chronic Pain?
By: Allison Truttmann, LCPC and Mollie Hanson, Psy.D., LP
We’ve all experienced a fall or an injury
where we’ve hurt ourselves. The pain can be intense and
debilitating. We often don’t understand how important a body
part is until it doesn’t function in the way it is meant. But
what happens when our injured body doesn’t heal in the time that
we expect?
Pain is an extremely complex and subjective
experience. Acute pain is different than chronic pain. Acute
pain occurs as the result of an injury or disease and,
uncomfortable as it may be, is usually limited to a time period
of six months or less. Acute pain is often treatable and after
this treatment, the pain subsides. However, this is not the case
with chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lingers
after six months despite the normal regimen of treatments. It is
persistent pain that remains long after the initial injury,
sometimes for months or years. Acute pain is usually resolved
either on its own or with medical treatment. However, chronic
pain can lead to a vicious cycle of misunderstanding and
misdiagnosis.
Chronic pain is real. Although your pain may
not be obvious to someone else, you know when you are hurting,
even when other people cannot see or understand it. It is not
only a physical problem but an emotional problem, both of which
are affected by environmental factors. Chronic pain impacts our
world in general. It not only is affected by our family,
friends, job, and daily living activities, but adversely, all of
these things can affect how we cope with our pain. (See Figure
1)
Chronic pain affects many areas of our
lives. The main aspects
affected are:
Of all of the facets affected by chronic pain, one of the
most noticeable is mood and emotional health. This can be especially hard for
those patients who have never experienced depression or anxiety. Some specific
symptoms of depression may include: a general feeling of sadness; changes in
appetite and/or weight; lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities;
difficulty concentrating; fatigue; irritability; feelings of guilt; sleep
disturbances; feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or helplessness; and even
thoughts of suicide. Some symptoms of anxiety may include: having worrisome
thoughts; racing thoughts; difficulty concentrating; irritability; restlessness;
sleep disturbances; and muscle tension.
When pain flares up, it is normal to feel as though our
physical symptoms won’t improve and depression and anxiety can ensue. At times
it may feel as though all of our physical and emotional energy is spent battling
the pain, which can leave us feeling drained of all motivation to engage in
normal daily activities.
If you believe that you may be experiencing chronic pain,
there are doctors and clinics that specialize in the treatment of chronic pain.
These clinics often carry a multidisciplinary approach to pain and provide
patients with access to board certified pain physicians, pain psychologists and
counselors, physical therapists, dieticians, massage therapists, and biofeedback
treatment. All of these treatment modalities can lead to physical healing and
emotional well being. Chronicpain may be one of the most difficult experiences a
person may face. A psychologist or counselor can assist in learning ways to not
only cope with chronic pain, but to live an enjoyable life despite the pain. |
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