What mental health conditions can be treated by a therapist for chronic pain?
There are various mental health conditions that can get triggered as a result of having chronic pain. This can include anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. Chronic pain can also increase a patient’s risk of suicide or substance abuse. All these issues can be addressed by a therapist which can make the condition of chronic pain more manageable for the patient.
What therapy approaches can a therapist use for chronic pain treatment?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help patients with chronic pain restructure their negative, catastrophic thoughts regarding pain into more realistic ones which can help them manage their pain better. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another effective approach that can help patients accept their negative internal sensations thereby changing the patient’s experience of pain.
What role does a therapist play in treating chronic pain?
Therapists can help a patient with chronic pain explore and reframe the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that are associated with their experience of chronic pain. A therapist can equip the patient with coping skills that can help them accept and reduce the intensity of pain.
How does a therapist help reduce chronic pain’s severity?
Managing one’s emotions can have a direct impact on the severity of chronic pain. Life stressors can also contribute to one’s chronic pain. Moreover, a therapist can help manage stress as well as help manage emotions by teaching techniques such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness, acceptance of chronic pain, etc. that can reduce the pain’s intensity. Also, for some patients, the pain itself can have a psychological origin which when addressed by a therapist can reduce it effectively.
