When you consider how chronic pain affects the body, it’s important to remember that we’re holistic beings. That means that a localized pain doesn’t simply affect a singular area. Rather, because the body is intricately connected, pain in one area of the body can cause issues in a host of other ways.
When we think of pain, we often think of its physical effects. It’s easy to understand why. After all, pain hurts! Yet, oftentimes the component of pain that’s ignored is the psychological effects of chronic pain. The mental strain that takes place when a person deals with pain on a constant basis can’t be understated.
We recently asked our team at SOLIS to give us some of their feedback about how pain affects the mind. Here are the five most common responses we received. We hope that better understanding these hidden effects will help you as you deal with the unseen impacts of chronic pain.
The Psychological Effects of Chronic Pain Include Depression
Perhaps the most commonly recognized non-physical effect of chronic pain is depression. Why is it at the forefront of so many minds? Likely, it’s because so many people struggle with it on a daily basis. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, up to 85% of patients with chronic pain deal with severe depression. If you deal with pain on a daily basis, understand that you’re not alone if you grapple with depressive moods and thoughts. Consider talking to your doctor about the possibility of counseling, or talk to a trusted friend or spiritual advisor for assistance.
Guilt Is an Overlooked Psychological Effect of Chronic Pain
Many people who struggle with chronic pain also wrestle with feelings of guilt. Sometimes, these stem from the fact that they feel their pain is causing a burden to other family members. Perhaps they’re experiencing guilt because they can’t schedule activities with family and friends. No matter the reasons for your feelings of guilt, it’s imperative that you remind yourself that your pain is not your fault. Holding on to guilt leads to bitterness, which over time can cause a psychosomatic effect on your body. This creates a vicious cycle that’s difficult to escape from.
Psychological Effects Of Chronic Pain: Memory
Have you ever experienced “brain fog?” Perhaps you forgot the name of someone who’s close to you? Maybe you were driving to a location and forgot where you were going? Those who suffer from chronic pain understand that the struggle of focusing and thinking is one of the pernicious ways of how pain affects the mind. Those dealing with issues such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, or a host of other issues report that brain fog is a very real physiological symptom that’s often ignored by mainstream medicine.
Hopelessness and Anxiety As a Result of Chronic Pain
Those suffering from chronic pain often report feelings of hopelessness and anxiety about the future. Acute pain can be quite painful but heals over time. However, chronic pain has no such expiration date, which can ramp up these toxic emotions.
In these cases, it’s imperative to look at life one day at a time. Although it may sound cliche, it’s better than focusing on the possibility of a lifetime of pain. By focusing on the blessings of each day, it can help improve your overall look on life. Consider finding a support group that helps people who deal with a diagnosis such as yours. These folks can help guide you through some of the difficult questions you’re grappling with.
Chronic Pain Can Affect Relationships
When dealing with chronic pain, the effects aren’t often limited to one person. Sometimes, your personal relationships can be affected, too. The effects of chronic pain can cause tension between spouses, difficulty between parents and children, and strain on friendships. One way to guard against this: have honest conversations with your friends and loved ones about how you feel. Giving them a glimpse into your world will help them empathize with your situation.
Choose SOLIS For Effective Pain Relief
If you’re dealing with the effects of chronic pain, you owe it to yourself to look at the SOLIS pain relief system. SOLIS harnesses the power of neuromodulation therapy to provide targeted pain relief exactly where you need it the most. Sound intriguing? Contact us to learn more about this life-changing product!