If you have chronic pain, and your doctor recommended that you seek counseling,
please take a moment to read this.
Your doctor:
- DOES NOT think it’s “all in your head.”
- DOES NOT think there is “nothing wrong.”
- DOES NOT think you “are crazy”
- DOES NOT blame you for the pain you are feeling.
Your doctor:
- DOES want to help you.
- DOES want you to learn how to help improve your life despite the pain.
- DOES want to find out what is going on and fix it to the best of medicine’s ability.
- DOES understand that medicine can not find a reason for every symptom (we just don’t have the technology, yet), nor does it have a cure for most chronic conditions (we just don’t have the knowledge, yet).
Counseling can be an important part of your medical treatment.
Chronic pain is usually diagnosed when pain persists longer than expected, is more intense than expected, no medical reason can be found to account for the pain, and when the emotional distress caused by the pain causes impairment in the person’s quality of life. Chronic pain is physical pain and emotional distress. Chronic pain can cause symptoms of clinical anxiety and depression disorders. Anxiety and depression symptoms can further increase the intensity and duration of pain.
The body experiences chronic pain as a form of chronic stress. Stress causes physiological changes in the body such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased blood glucose levels, and other changes related to the “flight or fight response.” Long-term stress can create and worsen physical illnesses and chronic pain conditions.
Chronic pain is a serious medical issue and your doctor should perform a complete physical evaluation. Medications can be used to manage inflammation and pain. Psychiatric medications may be needed to address symptoms of depression, anxiety, and decreased sleep. Rarely will a cocktail of medications, surgeries, and physical therapy be enough to remove chronic pain. This is a frustrating thing for both the doctors treating your condition, and for you.
Counseling offers you a chance to:
- Talk about how pain has changed your life, your goals, your dreams, and your relationships with friends and family.
- Improve understanding of how your pain, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors influence each other.
- Increase coping skills in dealing with the depression, anger, grief, anxiety, and hopelessness you may feel.
- Learn and practice in self-nurturing, stress/anxiety management, relaxation techniques, and other tools that help you have control over your pain and help stop the chronic pain cycle.
- Receive emotional support that your doctors, friends, and family may not have the time or the resources to provide.
- Utilize problem solving skills, goal setting, and healthy coping skills to regain control and enjoyment in your life.
Give yourself the best chance at recovery possible - continue medical treatment, but also consider counseling as another tool in your battle against chronic pain.
“Health is more than the absence of illness. It is the active state of physical, emotional,
mental and social well being.” - World Health Organization