Chronic Pain and Depression
Living with chronic pain can be exhausting. It’s not easy to deal with the wide range of symptoms, which can include headaches, back pain, cancer pain, arthritis pain, and pain that’s caused by nerve damage. It can be difficult to cope with the range of symptoms and treatments for chronic pain, which can sometimes seem to do little to help. On top of that, chronic pain can lead to depression or worsen existing depression.
If you or someone you know suffers from chronic pain as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact the personal injury lawyers of The Khalidi Law Firm. You don’t have to listen to inexperienced attorneys who tell you that you can’t get a good settlement for your chronic pain case. With over 20 years of experience, The Khalidi Law Firm can ensure you get the settlement you deserve.
The Link with Depression
There are several reasons why a person suffering from chronic pain might be prone to depression. Dr. Michael Clark, director of the pain treatment program at Johns Hopkins Hospital, estimates that “[a]pproximately one-third to three-quarters of people with chronic pain experience moderate to severe depression.”
Individuals who suffer from chronic pain are often confined to the house, unable to do the most seemingly simple things. The irritability that results from constant pain can lead loved ones to avoid or resent the chronic pain sufferer. Dr. Clark observes that “depression and chronic pain share some of the same neurotransmitters and nerve pathways. So pain is worse, function is poor, response to pain treatment is diminished and their prognosis is worse until they can get their depression under better control.”
Chronic pain and depression can get intertwined, so that the worse the pain gets, the worse the depression gets, and the worse the depression gets, the worse the pain gets. This is why it’s so important to find ways to relieve chronic pain.
Treating Chronic Pain
- Medication
Chronic pain is often treated with medication. These medications will often be over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers, but in more extreme cases doctors will prescribe opioids. Opioid painkillers have a high potential for misuse, and so they always require a prescription.
- Therapy
Therapy can come in several types, ranging from physical therapy that aims to strengthen atrophied muscles, to behavioral therapy that includes techniques to reduce stress. Other forms of therapy include low-impact exercise and occupational therapy.
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
CAM techniques can include methods that are not part of normal medical practice. Some of these techniques include practices like massages and acupuncture. Some of these techniques can be invasive, so you should be sure to consult a medical professional if you are considering any alternative treatments.
Contact the Khalidi Law Firm
The Khalidi Law Firm has more than 20 years of experience helping families in the Tucson area get the closure they deserve. If a loved one is suffering from chronic pain and the insurance companies won’t give you what you deserve, contact our compassionate and capable Tucson injury lawyers at The Khalidi Law firm. For a free consultation, call (520) 629-9909 today.
