How Chronic Pain Affects the Brain
There are a number of ailments that can cause chronic pain. Sometimes this means you’re in pain for a few months, sometimes a few years, or even a few decades. Everyone has experienced pain, so imagine if something like a headache, stomachache, or pinched nerve just never went away. This kind of pain can wear on someone’s emotions. A lot of chronic pain sufferers even look for a chronic pain sponsor to help them make it through their difficult journey because bearing this particular kind of hardship can actually change the way your brain functions.
Mental Health Conditions
People suffering with chronic pain are more likely to develop mental health problems they didn’t experience before. Things such as dependence on pain killers and anxiety and depression are the most common. In fact, research shows people in chronic pain are four times more likely to develop anxiety and depression. Other factors of being sick and in pain can contribute to these mental ailments as well, such not being able to participate in exercise or activities you used to enjoy, or feeling like you have a reduced quality of life because of how you have to manage your pain. If you know someone who’s in chronic pain, keep an eye out for signs of depression or anxiety and offer your support.
Common Conditions
There are a number of different conditions that can cause chronic pain, but a few are more common than you might think. The first is arthritis, which can wear away cartilage between bones and cause intense pain in the joints. Another is fibromyalgia, which is a misfiring of nerves in the brain and spine so that the two areas process pain differently. Finally, some people are plagued with chronic migraines and things like light or loud sounds can trigger their pain.
