A reader Heidi wrote in recently to ask about pain and depression.  She asks:

How can I keep my spirits up when it hurts SO bad?

Great question, Heidi.  Unfortunately, depression can be one very serious problem related to pain.  Feeling sad can accompany pain disorders because of both the pain itself as well as the consequences of having a pain disorder.  You might be dealing with:

• the pain itself – pain hurts!
• feeling you have no control over your pain
• pain interfering with work
• pain interfering with being with your family
• pain interfering with enjoyable activities
• pain interfering with social activities
• changes in your brain that happen when you’re in pain – these changes may, all by themselves, directly cause depression
• side effects of pain medications

Most people with pain will feel sad at some time or another.  Psychiatric depression includes feeling sad or blue most of the time, along with symptoms such as:

• sleep problems (either sleeping too much or insomnia)
• decreased interest in things
• feeling guilty about things
• decreased energy
• difficulty concentrating
• problems with appetite (either increased or decreased)
• slowing down or agitation
• decreased sexual interest
• feelings of suicide

If you have these symptoms, or you’re concerned you might be depressed, it’s very important to talk with your medical doctor, or a psychiatrist who’s familiar with pain problems, to get the right diagnosis and treatment.  This is especially true of you have any suicidal thinking at all.

So what can you do to prevent or help with depression?
1. Talk with family and friends
2. Be kind to yourself
3. Practice relaxation, guided imagery or mindfulness meditation
4. Practice accepting your situation
5. Enjoy what you can do
6. Help others
7. Accept assistance
8. Work with your doctor to improve sleep
9. Seek mental health treatment, if needed

Readers, what other suggestions can you share with Heidi in the comments below?

Other articles you might enjoy reading:

• 10 creative relaxation ideas
• How mindfulness helps with pain
• Are you kind to yourself when things go wrong?
• 10 secrets of resilient POW’s that can help you cope with pain

Have a question yourself?  Send it in here.

Grand Rounds, a medical-blog carnival is at Not Totally Rad this week.