The Pain Behind The Pain: The Effect of Chronic Pain On Emotions

It’s estimated that about 50 million adults in the U.S. struggle with chronic pain. Most people understand the physical effects of chronic pain. It can wreak havoc on your life and make you wonder how severe your symptoms will be from one day to the next. 

However, chronic pain takes a toll on more than just your physical well-being. 

The effect of chronic pain on emotions is very real and can be hard to deal with. The emotional impact of chronic pain can push you into a vicious cycle, where your mental health declines, causing your pain to become worse. As your pain becomes worse, your mental health will decline even more. 

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the effect of chronic pain on emotions. Most importantly, we’ll dive a little deeper into what you can do to help yourself and find relief. 

The Mental Health Toll of Chronic Pain

It’s not uncommon for people with chronic pain to feel depressed or anxious. If you feel like your quality of life is limited, depression can quickly set in. Unfortunately, depression can often make your symptoms of pain even worse. 

Some of the most common emotions associated with chronic pain include

• Sadness

• Frustration

• Anger

It’s also not uncommon to feel misunderstood, which can fuel your frustration even further. 

Missing The Life You Once Had

There are several reasons why people with chronic pain are susceptible to emotional pain, too. 

First, you might miss the things you used to do. That can lead to self-loathing and even a sense of pity for yourself. You might also feel frustrated that you can’t live the same kind of life you used to. 

You might also have a fear of missing out on things. Your friends and family will always be there for you. But, the reality is that life keeps moving forward. It can be frustrating and even triggering to watch the people you love do things you’re no longer able to do. 

Finally, you might struggle with guilt and anger. That can lead to a low mood and may contribute to you seeking out unhealthy coping mechanisms. 

What Can You Do to Manage Your Emotions? 

If you live with chronic pain, the best thing you can do is get to the root of that pain before trying to “fix” your mental health. If the pain is the source of the problem, seek out treatment or pain management assistance as soon as possible. 

Talking to your doctor about your chronic pain is the best first step. There might be a treatment that helps to eliminate the pain entirely. If not, your doctor will likely work with you on different management techniques. 

When it comes to your emotions, consider working with a therapist or counselor. 

Often, the negative emotions that come as a result of chronic pain are cyclical. The worse your pain is, the worse your emotions are. The more negative your emotions are, the worse your pain will feel. 

Much like a doctor can do with physical pain, a therapist will help you get to the root cause of your emotional turmoil. 

If you’re struggling mentally because of your pain, it’s important to understand why, so you can take active steps toward doing something different. 

Chronic pain can be a difficult reality to accept, especially when it impacts your quality of life. If you’re struggling with your mental health and dealing with negative emotions because of your pain, don’t feel like you have to deal with it alone. Hypnosis for anxiety can help you ease some of this tension. Feel free to contact us for more information or to set up an appointment.