Depression and Chronic pain
Noca - Nov 9th, 2009 4:52 PM
[ Original Post ]

Chronic pain causes depression and depression causes chronic pain. The depression seems like it will never end. Ive had clinical depression since 2005 and before that I was just Dysthymic. Is there light at the end of the tunnel or is depression a life sentence for those with chronic pain?

Comment


 

Canada17 - Nov 9th, 2009 6:52 PM

It does seem like a vicious cycle.

I can only speak from my experience with depression, I think I was lucky.

I have always been a realist and when my thoughts started to turn negative, I knew I had a problem. I was diagnosed bi-polar when I was 18 years old. The doctor put me on Effexor XR to help me cope. I read everything thing I could on the medication, I even read a "drug dictionary" as I call it that my sister had from school. The information was scary; I did not want to have to be on this med for the rest of my life.

From that point forward, whenever I had a negative thought (and there many) I would shake my head and force myself to think of things in a positive light. The bad thoughts occurred less and less and I was weened off of the meds after six months. I haven't needed them since.

As I said, I was lucky, and I know that. But when I took control of my thoughts and realized the effect they were having on my life, that's when things changed.


axxie - Nov 9th, 2009 8:54 PM

I have question for you, Canada17, do you think that the medication we are taking, could cause bi-polar?

I don't think so, but I'm not sure, but I should know, I have a girlfriend of mine who is bi-polar and a nephew by marriage that is also bi-polar?




Noca - Nov 9th, 2009 10:25 PM

I dont have negative thoughts other than I want to die. Thats not really a cognitive distortion so I cant really challenge it and make a balanced though through the use of CBT. I just feel depressed for no reason other than my poor health.


axxie - Nov 10th, 2009 1:01 AM

Noca, everyone of us, battle mood disorder, being depressed or hormonal imbalance, or endoctrine problem.

The pain, causes the depression, because we are constantly in some kind of pain.

I sometimes think, that maybe our problems are all hormonal, and endoctrinal.....

I've been taking thryroid medication for years now, if I forget just one day, I seem to be more depressed and feel that I have problems taken on the world and little problems bother me.

My husband says he knows if I forgotten to take my thyroid, because I'm constantly nagging. Go figure and I want to pick fights..... rather he says' I'm real opionionated....