Mental Health and Pain

There is a direct relationship between our mental health and those who suffer chronic pain.

According to Mental Health America, “in 2016, approximately 20 percent of U.S. adults had chronic pain (approximately 50 million), and eight percent of U.S. adults (approximately 20 million) had high-impact chronic pain. “

Mental Health America

Acute pain is pain that lasts less than 3-6 months, which many have experienced in their lifetime. Acute pain can come and go, but for others, it is persistent and chronic. Chronic pain, pain lasting longer than 6 months, has shown to have a negative effect; not just physically, emotionally but also mentally.

Those who suffer chronic pain are also susceptible to suffering from depression, which leads to anxiety, and has a direct affect in quality of day to day living.

Common ailments that result in chronic pain are the following: Osteoarthritis; Rheumatoid arthritis; Psoriatic arthritis; Fibromyalgia; Multiple Sclerosis; Neck/back pain; previous joint/spinal surgery; Interstitial Cystitis; Pelvic Floor Dysfunction; and Migraines just to name a few.

Chronic pain affects our mood, sleep, appetite, work, activities of daily living and indirectly our relationships with others. I know if I am feeling pain, I am not my usual happy self. I tend to withdraw.

In my next blog, I will discuss some off these common chronic conditions in more detail, as well as provide you with tools to get through the pain and those difficult days.

So hang in there, there is hope.