Many people with long-term pain, especially those
that have experienced significant losses caused by their pain, also experience
depression. This is an understandable reaction to having a life full of pain
and losses, that continues day after day.
Even though it may be very difficult to
acknowledge, it is important that depression is recognized as part of the
overall difficulties for people with long-term or chronic pain. This is
important for several reasons.
From a treatment point of view, help with your
depression, even depression that is caused by your pain and losses, can help
reduce the severity of your long-term pain. Medications and psychological treatments
for depression can help with physical pain. These can also help with sleep,
energy and tolerances, all of which are important for individuals struggling to cope with long-term pain.
When individuals are applying for disability
benefits, it is important to have your physical injuries, sources of pain, and
secondary psychological reactions acknowledged and accepted. All of these
factors combine to create the overhaul limitations that can interfere with an your capacity to work.
Sometimes people in pain only discuss their
physical injuries. This can hurt you when you are making claims and are out of
work. When you only discuss one part of your overall limitations, insurers are
bound to underestimate just how limited you may be. It is important for treatment
providers and insurers to understand not just the causes of the problem, but
also all of the secondary complications and factors that can limit you.
When it comes to secondary psychological reactions
of depression, sometimes a simple formula can help us all understand it a
little bit better.
Pain (including
multiple sources of pain) + depression =
more disability
Essentially, this means that an individual is more
disabled by 2 problems (or many problems) than they are by just one problem.
Simple, but true.
This is an important topic and I will return to it
over and over again more detailed information - what is depression.
Yours with care - Mike
This article discusses knee pain in runners, the causes, the main reason why runners get knee pain and what to do to avoid or treat the knee pain Artrose
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