Those who suffer from chronic pain can feel stressed and depressed at times. However, depression could be exacerbating the chronic pain symptoms.
Depression
Depression is the most common emotion associated with chronic back pain. The type of depression that often accompanies chronic pain is referred to as major or clinical depression and is a serious medical condition. While most people understand how chronic pain can cause depression, the reverse is also true. People with depression are much more likely to develop chronic back or neck pain than those who are not clinically depressed. A comprehensive approach is often required to assist patients managing depression, chronic pain, and depression-related sleep issues.
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Depression and Chronic Back Pain
Depression is by far the most common emotion associated with chronic back pain. Learn about the interrelationship between depression and chronic back pain and how patients can recognize the signs of depression.
Newer studies are looking at how psychological variables such as depression and anxiety may be linked to the onset of back pain problems.
Depression is often misdiagnosed when it occurs with chronic back pain - neither the doctor nor the patient suspect clinical depression may be occurring.
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How Does Stress Cause Back Pain?
The overriding tenet in all of theories is that psychological and emotional factors cause some type of physical change resulting in the back pain.
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Stress-Related Back Pain
A stress-related back pain diagnosis means that psychological factors either initiated or are maintaining the back pain, or both. This article addresses the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for stress related back pain.
The onset of stress-related back pain is often variable, and symptoms may include muscle tenderness, fatigue, and the pain perceived to be "moving around."
Explore two approaches to treating stress-related chronic pain: The Dr. Sarno approach, and the multi-disciplinary approach.
