How Chronic Pain Leads to Depression
People who live with chronic pain have long been saying that the non-stop physical pain is not the only challenge in their lives, but along with the pain comes a host of other challenges, such as:
Now new research findings confirm this. The recent study, conducted at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, found that physical changes in the brain caused by chronic pain are likely to lead to depression as well as other pain-related symptoms.
In the study, the researchers demonstrated that the wiring in the brain of someone dealing with chronic pain is different than that of pain-free individuals. In a the brain of a pain-free individual, all the regions of the brain exist in a complementary state, meaning that if one region of the brain is active the other regions are at rest. But in people with chronic pain, a front region of the cortex mostly associated with emotion is constantly active.
“The areas that are affected fail to deactivate when they should.” said Dante Chialvo, lead author and associate research professor of physiology at the Feinberg School. “They are stuck on full throttle, wearing out neurons and altering their connections to each other. “
‘If you are a chronic pain patient, you have pain 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every minute of your life,” Chialvo said. “That permanent perception of pain in your brain makes these areas in your brain continuously active. This continuous dysfunction in the equilibrium of the brain can change the wiring forever and could hurt the brain.”
Chialvo hypothesized: “It could be that pain produces depression and the other reported abnormalities because it disturbs the balance of the brain as a whole.”
Importantly, Chialvo notes that the research findings “show it is essential to study new approaches to treat chronic patients not just to control their pain but also to evaluate and prevent the dysfunction that may be generated in the brain by the chronic pain.” The research results are being published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
Source: http://www.chialvo.net/
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Subject: Chronic Pain and Depression
I have been writing about and telling people that chronic pain ain't no joke. I have been in pain since 1995 and it don't look like it's going to get any better. I even started writing about my experiences on two websites http://www.vge-llc.4t.com and http://www.vinicent-d-holland.4t.com because I want to share what I have learned thru experience with others and to see what others have learned that might help all of us tolerate chronic pain better. It's a nightmare. It makes you question your very existence. It leads you down some dangerous roads of thought. It ain't easy to deal with. I needed help to admit to myself that I was still okay, just had to do things different. Chronic pain will cause depression even if you don't admit it. Look at your life now and then ask OTHERS what you are like. I lied to myself but I am so glad to see sites like this blog out here so I can relate to other people and feel alive again. Thanks
March 12th, 2008
Subject: cronic pain
I also have cronic pain. It is the only constant in my life. I no longer can take care of myself, I was once a neat nick, not I live in a pig stye. I am alone with no help, since it was a work place accident, I fear how will I live, support myself, I swore to my self before I became a bag lady on the street, I would put a 357 in my mouth. Not only the pain, the fear of being thrown away by the workers comp system. And being alone.
March 24th, 2008
Subject: Chronic pain and my depression
I've had chronic pain now for just under 3 years (it will be three years on 4-16 of this year) I was involved in a car accident that broke my back in multiple areas and required a fusion from T3 - T10. I fractured L3 and L4 and feal a lot of pain in those areas and it radiates down into my hips, tailbone, and both legs. I have pain from where I had the fusion and into the left side of my ribs. I haven't had a pain free day since the accident. I've struggled so very much in just trying to live that I've shut everyone out because I'm trying to ignore the pain everyday. Family and friends are contstantly worried that I'm going to kill myself for I've tried 4 to 5 times in the last couple of years. I'm on heavy duty pain meds but they don't seem to help all the time. I do make the best out of my life now. I have a 19 month old son that depends on me to take care of him. He's why I'm still alive today. Depression kicks my butt! I struggle every morning still just to get out of bed and ready for the day. Things I hope will get better and till that day comes I guess I just have to keep living the way I do. I'm rambling but I wanted to write about my experience with chronic pain. I'm sure most people that have chronic pain can understand what I've said and live with the same things. Thanks for letting me vent and reading my thoughts
Kevin W
Duluth, MN
March 24th, 2008
Subject: Fibromaylagia
I've had fibromyalgia since ....when no one could pronounce it. As far back as the 1980's
The pain I experience every day is just unbelieveable.
Now I see commercials about Fibromyalgia...And I say to myself finally someone is talkiing about this problem.
I am 63 years of age and this is related to people with upper body activity. I am a custom framer and my son is a Chef ...Both jobs relate to upper body activity...So I feel that men can get this problem also. Because he has the same pains (body related that I have) Also the depression.
People with this problem NEED HELP.
I have had chiropractic help and had a wonderful massage therapist ....That helped the most.
I could go on about this but I feel what I said is the most Important ....
March 28th, 2008
Subject: Chronic neck and arm pain
Yes!! I am glad to know I'm not the only one going slowly insane. I am fighting depression, and feeling like I'm losing. I do not have a specific incident I can point at and say, "This is what happened!" I just seem to be falling apart. I'm 34, I've had x-rays and MRIs, but no one can tell me why my spine is getting squeezed. Too many brains? I doubt it! First it was my Left arm a year ago, now its both left and right. Burning, squeezing, cold, stabbing, feeling like forks are ripping the muscles apart, numbness, pins & needles, you name it, I've got it from my neck all the way my fingertips, on both hands. It is truly maddening. Good luck and God Bless....
April 1st, 2008
Subject: I am going to have facet
I am going to have facet joint injections later this morning. I know that they may not work, as I have had lumber Epidurals in the past which sort of worked.
What I find hard to deal with as well as the pain is the constant tiredness. I need to lie down after just a comparitivly short walk, just to rest, and rest my back and arthritic hip. I seem to spend much of my life lying down, and usually have to get to bed by about 8 30 pm so that I can rest my back enough to let me perform for a few hours the next day.
Tiredness and depression about my condition, are constant companions to the pain.
Still I hope today might bring some relief.
April 7th, 2008
Subject: Pain and Depression
I agree. I suffer from bi-polar Type II disorder and the constant pain from my herniated and torn L4 and L5 leave me fighting hard against my depression. It SUCKS being in pain all the damn time. When i drive, brush my teeth, put on shoes, etc....it is like it never ends. Unfortunately, it is a worker's comp injury, and I am finding that going through Worker's comp insurance takes forever to get anything done. I am in my 4th month of pain. For those experiencing what I am, I feel for you.
April 16th, 2008
Subject: Chronic Pain And Being Married
I have lived in chronic pain for the last 9-10 years. I am married and have been married for 14 years. Wow my marriage has really gone south due to my chronic pain levels of 7-8 every day 24 hours a day. No I am not the same old Geoff and have really not done well showing love towards my wife. I truly love her but it is just tuff getting my mind in it. She does not understand my pain levels and how pain affects your brain, your everyday thinking.I have tried explaining how I feel and it just is not sinking in. I know she hurts also more than me maybe a broken heart hurts. She had a man that could go places, have fun getting out and just having fun and now I act and feel like a 85 year old man, I am 51.I work 5 days a week 9-10 hour days and by lunch I am just so tired and beat down it takes all my effort just to get home and rest. After 5 days of working it takes the whole weekend to rest and get enough energy to start the week over.I see a pain management Dr and without the meds I would not even function. Any advice any help would be so much appreciated.
Geoff
April 18th, 2008
Subject: married to a man who suffers from chrinic pain and depression
I have been married for 27 years to a man who came from an emotionally abusive alcoholic father. The first 12 years while not without the normal ups and downs of marriage were pretty happy. We had 2 daughters, played hard, worked hard, laughed alot and enjoyed life, he was determined not to be his father. Then a terrible car accident brought him injury, followed by 15 years of chronic pain and depression. I have fought for our marriage, stayed true through some very difficult times and today find myself questioning why! when the kids were younger and we were always on the go with sports, school etc. it was easy to go thru the motions, he withdrew from everything, some due to pain and the capacity to interact with others or lack of it. I have made many mistakes, he took some couselling in the beginning and has been taking medication for a few years but I have tried and failed to help him look at the positives in life instead of the negatives, who am I to tell him how he should feel or think about anything. The primary emotion expressed is typically anger, normal people leading normal lives are of no interst to him socially, with the exception of our kids he has distanced himself entirely from old friends and family - every one has done or said something at some point to anger him so much that he wants little or nothing to do with them. Our inti$macy is long gone - he blames me i feel numb - he wants sex not love - i have placed walls to self protect and am now realizing that not allowing him to treat me poorly anymore has created so much more anger and resentment that he blames me for what has happened - he will not attend couslling with me fearing I will taint the professionals view and lie to make him look badly - he has threatened divorce so many times that I feel dead - why would I open myself to the pain and heartache of letting him get close again only to stomp on my heart whenever! For a guy who detests the way his father speaks to his mother he sure has no problem trashin his own wife - this is my story or part of it and tonight I am sad and disappointed that i can't make him realice that his happiness has always been my goal,
May 29th, 2008