Relevant studies have shown that more than 50% of patients with depression have somatic symptoms of chronic pain. At the same time, chronic pain will increase the incidence and recurrence rate of depression, and depressed patients with pain symptoms have a higher degree of depression severity.
So, what is the relationship between chronic pain and depression? What factors are likely to cause the comorbidity of pain and depression? How to diagnose and prevent the comorbidity of pain and depression?
Lower back pain (photoAC)
Epidemiological surveys show that the incidence of chronic pain among the elderly in mainland China is as high as 41.1%, and the incidence varies depending on region, age, gender and other factors.
Women are more likely than men to suffer from chronic pain. The incidence of chronic pain gradually increases with age. Some occupational pain may lead to the development of chronic pain. For example, jobs that require long periods of standing, poor sitting posture, or repetitive movements may increase the risk of chronic pain.
The causes of chronic pain include physiological factors, psychological factors and social factors. Physiological causes include tissue damage, disease, or sequelae of disease treatment. Psychological causes include anxiety, depression and other mental factors. Social factors include living environment, social support, etc. Therefore, the causes of chronic pain are multifactorial and need to be considered comprehensively.
1. Physiological model:Pain causes the body to produce a stress response, which affects the emotional regulation function of the human brain, thereby triggering depression.
2. Psychosocial model:Pain makes individuals feel exhausted, helpless, and out of control, leading to low mood and depression.
3. Behavioral pattern:Pain affects an individual’s behavioral performance, such as reduced social activities, loss of interest, etc., thereby inducing depression.
4. Cognitive model:Pain can change an individual’s perception of themselves, the environment, and the future, produce negative thinking patterns, and exacerbate depressive symptoms.
5. Quality of life mode:Long-term pain affects an individual’s quality of life, making them feel tired and frustrated, which can lead to depression.
Headache (photoAC)
There is a strong relationship between chronic pain and depression. The interactions between them are complex and bidirectional, often forming a vicious cycle.
Common factors associated with chronic pain and depression comorbidity mainly include:
1. Sleep problems:Decreased sleep quality may worsen both pain and depression;
2. Economic pressure:Financial difficulties may exacerbate depression and limit effective treatment of pain;
3. Degree of pain:Increased levels of pain may be associated with increased levels of depression;
4. Self-evaluation of poor health:Patients’ negative evaluations of their own health may be related to the emergence of depressive mood;
5. Poor self-care ability:Decreased ability to care for oneself may increase the patient’s burden of pain and depression.
These factors interact to influence the onset and progression of chronic pain and depression. Therefore, when treating and managing chronic pain and depression, it is necessary to consider these factors and develop an individualized treatment plan.
Research shows that the following diseases or conditions are more likely to cause pain and depression comorbidity:
1. Somatic diseases,Such as stroke, coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and tumors, etc., may all lead to comorbidities of pain, depression;
2. Neuropathic pain:It is often accompanied by lesions or injuries to the nervous system, such as neuroinflammation, nerve root compression, etc. This pain is often comorbid with depression;
3. Increase in age,The elderly face various pressures such as declining physical health, changes in living conditions, and reduced social support, which can easily lead to the comorbidities of pain and depression;
4. Gender:Research shows that women are at a higher risk of depression when dealing with chronic pain, so women are more likely to suffer from comorbid pain and depression;
5. Occupation:Work that requires standing or bending for long periods of time can easily lead to chronic pain, thereby increasing the risk of depression.
Decreased sleep quality may worsen both pain and depression (pxhere)
Symptoms of comorbid pain and depression fall into six broad categories:
1. Body pain:Patients experience persistent chronic pain that may involve different parts of the body, such as head, neck, back, limbs, etc.;
2. Feeling depressed:It is often accompanied by persistent depression, manifested by low mood, loss of interest or happiness, self-deprecation, etc.;
3. Sleep problems:Patients may have sleep disorders, including difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep quality, too much or too little sleep, etc.;
4. Decline in cognitive function:Patients may experience symptoms of cognitive function decline such as inattention, slow thinking, and memory loss;
5. Social dysfunction:Patients may have fewer interactions with others and lose interest in social activities, leading to a decline in social function;
6. Suicidal tendencies:In extreme cases, patients may have suicidal thoughts or behaviors and require timely intervention and treatment.
Diagnosing comorbid pain and depression requires a comprehensive consideration of the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and physical examination, and the exclusion of other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
A typical diagnostic process includes:
1. Detailed medical history inquiry:The doctor will ask the patient about the pain situation, duration, pain location, pain characteristics, and whether it is accompanied by depression symptoms such as low mood;
2. Physical examination:The doctor will conduct a comprehensive physical examination to rule out possible organic diseases, and evaluate the patient’s nervous system function, psychological state, etc.
3. Psychological assessment:Doctors may use standardized psychological assessment tools, such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), etc., to assess the patient’s depression level;
4. Other inspections:Depending on the specific situation, blood tests, imaging tests (such as X-rays, MRI, etc.) may be required to rule out other possible causes.
How to prevent chronic pain from triggering depression (photoAC)
The key to preventing chronic pain from triggering depression is to manage pain effectively while adopting positive psychological and behavioral strategies to cope with pain.
1. Regular exercise:Proper physical exercise can reduce pain sensations and promote physical and mental health;
2. Keep a positive attitude:Try to maintain an optimistic attitude, face pain actively, and find joy and meaning in life;
3. Learn coping skills:Learn effective coping skills, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, to reduce pain sensations;
4. Seek social support:Communicate with family, friends or professional psychological counselors to share your feelings and worries and gain understanding and support;
5. Seek medical treatment regularly:Seek medical treatment regularly, accept diagnosis and treatment from professional doctors, and actively cooperate with the treatment plan;
6. Maintain a healthy lifestyle:Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including good sleeping habits, a balanced diet, smoking cessation and limiting alcohol consumption, etc.;
7. Get psychological treatment:Receive psychological treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), stress management, etc., learn effective strategies to deal with pain, and reduce depression;
8. Medication:Under the guidance of a doctor, use medication in a timely manner, such as antidepressants, analgesics, etc., to reduce pain and depression symptoms;
9. Find hobbies and interests:Develop and maintain your own interests and hobbies, participate in social activities, and enrich your life;
10.Regular review:Regularly review symptoms of pain and depression, and adjust treatment plans in a timely manner to prevent worsening of the condition.
The treatment of depression accompanied by pain requires comprehensive consideration of both pain and depression factors and a comprehensive treatment strategy.
1.Drug treatment:Commonly used medications include antidepressants and analgesics. Antidepressants can help improve mood and mental state, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, etc.; analgesics can relieve pain, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ), opioid analgesics, etc.;
2. Psychotherapy:Psychological treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), stress management, etc., which can help patients change negative thinking patterns and emotional reactions, and learn to effectively cope with pain and depression;
Attend social events (pixabay)
3.Physical therapy:Physical therapy includes physical therapy, rehabilitation training, etc., which can relieve pain and muscle tension and promote recovery through exercise therapy, hot compress, massage, etc.;
4. Lifestyle adjustments:Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular work and rest, healthy diet, moderate exercise, etc., can help improve physical resistance and psychological quality, and reduce pain and depression symptoms;
5. Social support:Seeking support and understanding from family, friends and professional psychological counselors, participating in social activities, and strengthening the social support network can help relieve emotional stress and loneliness and improve mental health.
2024-04-06 11:09:57
#major #factors #pain #depression #comorbidity #Chronic #pain #Depression #Pain #depression #comorbidity
