Chronic Pain and Depression

What are your hobbies? Running, gardening, hiking, golfing? We all have interests and things that bring us joy. We all have also injured ourselves in some way, shape, or form that left us temporarily unable to participate in the activities we enjoy. Sometimes injuries and conditions may never get completely better, leading to chronic pain. When pain affects daily life for such an extended period of time, it often brings about depression.

Common forms of chronic pain include lower back pain, arthritis, and headaches. Statistics have shown that about 65% of people with depression suffer from chronic pain. Pain and depression actually share some of the same neurotransmitters and neural pathways that lead to the brain. Not only does chronic pain physically prevent you from engaging in activities that you enjoy, but it may also cause sleep disturbances. These difficulties may leave you tired and lacking in the energy necessary to make it through the day. Lack of mobility and independence from pain may increase stress and cause anxiety as well. In addition, treatments for chronic pain, such as prescription pain killers or bedrest, can sometimes make depression worse. Chiropractic care is a great method for treating long lasting pain as it aims to fix the body and make the pain go away rather than alleviate symptoms.

Depression is a serious issue that should not be ignored, and can be fixed. If you or someone you know is experiencing a number of these symptoms, please seek help from a physician or mental health professional.

Signs of depression to look out for may include:

• Depressed mood or overall feeling of sadness
• Loss of interest in daily activities or hobbies
• Changes in sleep
• Changes is appetite
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Difficulty concentrating and memory loss
• Thoughts of suicide