Chronic pain and depression often go together

“Who are you?”

“Why am I here?”

These are some of the questions many patients have when I first see them and Ann was no exception. I first saw Ann for an assessment when she was referred to the Pain Management Intensive Outpatient Program at the Texas Health Springwood Center of Southlake by her neurosurgeon. He had abruptly halted spinal fusion surgery prep for surgery which was scheduled in four days. He had seen indicators that she was depressed when she became tearful while talking about planning for surgery, reported that she was not sleeping, had difficulty focusing on her usual tasks, and seemed overwhelmed. The physician questioned whether she was psychologically ready for a successful surgery and recovery in her current state.

According to the National Pain Foundation, chronic pain is a severe stressor and that as many as 70% of those with chronic pain may be clinically depressed.

Individuals with severe pain are at high risk for developing destructive coping patterns such as abuse of medications or alcohol, overeating, social isolation, anger outbursts, or withdrawing from life. Research also indicates that the presence of situational stressors has an enormous impact on recovery from the pain condition. We know that treating the psychological state as well as the medical needs of the patient ensures a successful recovery from the pain condition.

It became clear that Ann had struggled with severe pain related to degenerative disc disease for 9 months while multiple treatments were tried. Meanwhile, other stressors had occurred in her life, including a job layoff and tightened finances. During this time the combined stress had affected her ability to work, limited her activities and socialization, and resulted in feelings of depression and hopelessness. It was evident that Ann could benefit from information about the cycle of pain, stress, and depression which leads to the experiencing of intensified pain.

While in the program, Ann worked intensely on addressing the stress of chronic pain, its impact on her mood and family, other stressors of heated family relationship issues, and a pattern of internalizing her feelings related to childhood experiences of abuse. New coping skills were developed, she was more able to use breathing and muscle relaxation to intervene in her pain cycle, and a change in the balancing of her life priorities occurred. Her mood brightened greatly, her motivation/enthusiasm increased, her self esteem lifted, she absorbed and actively used all coping outlets offered to her with success. Ann’s insight into herself, her life, her condition improved and she became a leader in the group sessions offering valuable guidance and support to peers. When her neurosurgeon met with her for her follow up appointment, he was amazed by the change he saw in such limited time frame. Treatment in this program assisted Ann in a successful recovery from back surgery.

Ann even returned to complete her remaining sessions post-operatively at her own initiation. She was now clear on what our program had to offer.

If someone you care about struggles with chronic pain and could benefit from this program, call me at 817-310-5888 to schedule a free assessment.

Chase Torres, LCSW
Pain Management Intensive Outpatient Program
Texas Health Springwood Center of Southlake