Dealing with persistent pain isn’t just a physical challenge; it often goes hand-in-hand with emotional troubles like depression and anxiety.
A prominent doctor has highlighted this relationship, emphasizing how our physical discomfort and emotional well-being are more intertwined than many might think.
The Vicious Cycle of Pain and Emotions
Dr. Kurt Kroenke, associated with Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine, offers insight into this two-way street between chronic pain and mental health.
Imagine being in pain and unable to sleep well. That lack of sleep can affect one’s mood, leading to feelings of sadness or anxiousness. On the other hand, being depressed or anxious can make one more sensitive to pain.
Dr. Kroenke points out that parts of our brain responsible for mood are linked with those that handle pain. This interconnection means that our physical and emotional experiences are deeply intertwined.
The Importance of Holistic Treatment
Dr. Kroenke notes that while treating depression and anxiety can lead to improved pain symptoms, the reverse isn’t necessarily true.
Just treating physical pain might not always relieve emotional distress to the same extent. This doesn’t mean we should ignore one in favor of the other.
Both physical and emotional symptoms need attention for comprehensive healing.
One of the challenges is that patients often don’t communicate all their symptoms. Someone might visit their doctor for a backache but might not mention feeling constantly tired or lacking motivation, which are signs of depression.
Additionally, doctors might not always probe beyond the primary complaint.
However, ignoring these emotional symptoms can result in prolonged suffering and a lower quality of life.
Dr. Kroenke stresses the importance of clinicians measuring both types of symptoms to provide effective treatment.
Unfortunately, there isn’t always a straightforward way to measure emotional distress, but the patient’s feedback remains invaluable.
Innovative Tools for Symptom Measurement
Recognizing the importance of understanding a patient’s experience, Dr. Kroenke has been a pioneer in the field of symptomology.
He has developed several tools to help healthcare professionals gauge the severity of different symptoms, such as pain, depression, and anxiety. These tools, available in over 100 languages, rely on patient feedback.
Interestingly, symptoms, both physical and emotional, are the main reason people visit primary care doctors. However, many times these symptoms don’t have an obvious medical explanation.
For instance, earlier it was thought that one out of three common symptoms didn’t have a clear disease-related reason, but Dr. Kroenke now believes the number is closer to one in two.
It’s been known for a long time that both physical and emotional symptoms need to be addressed for complete healing.
Dr. Kroenke’s work is helping to make that a reality, reminding us of the age-old wisdom that our physical and emotional health are deeply connected.
As the ancient poet Ovid so aptly put it, “I am no better in mind than in body; both alike are sick and I suffer double hurt.”
If you care about depression, please read how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more information about pain, please read an effective way to reduce back pain, and this pain medicine for headache may effectively reduce high blood pressure.
The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
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