How Psychotherapy Can Help People with Chronic Pain
The mental toll of chronic pain is significant. Many people with chronic pain experience depression, anxiety, low self esteem and even suicidal thoughts. Chronic pain can be a serious and isolating condition, therapists who are trained or specialize in chronic pain or chronic illness may be able to help, not just by providing support and validation, but also by providing a framework and tools to improve quality of life for those living with chronic conditions. While psychotherapy cannot reduce the physical experience of pain, it works to change the relationship to pain to reduce the experience of anxiety and depression and improve wellbeing.
Here are 5 ways therapy can help people living with chronic pain:
1. Identify locus of control
Many people with chronic pain have had the experience of searching for answers and relief with little to no luck, resulting in feelings of hopelessness, helplessness or even depression. Psychotherapy for chronic pain can help clients identify areas of control, take committed action to help build self-efficacy and combat helplessness. Combining techniques from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) can allow people with chronic pain to take action towards their goals by identifying what they can control, while accepting the very real limitations that chronic conditions can cause.
2. Teach effective relaxation techniques
Therapy for chronic pain can also increase awareness of the Mind-body connection. Stress can make our bodies more “hyperaware” or vigilant to pain, while at first glance mindfulness may sound awful to a chronic pain sufferer, “why would I want to focus on my body if it’s in pain?”, there are mindfulness practices specifically developed for people with chronic pain. These practices focus on releasing muscle tension, guided visualization and diaphragmatic breathing. Mindfulness for chronic pain is about expanding your attention to something else, in an intentional and mindful way, and does not always mean focusing on the body or on the pain. Regular practice of these relaxation techniques can reduce stress and muscle tension.
Idil’s Reading Recommendation:
You Are Not Your Pain, Using Mindfulness to Relieve Pain, Reduce Stress and Restore Well-being; An 8 Week Program.
3. Use evidence-based techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts
CBT for chronic pain or CBT-CP uses cognitive re-structuring tools to challenge unhelpful thoughts. The purpose of cognitive re-structuring is not to turn the “negative” into a “positive”; there are times where a negative thought or feeling is valid and coming from a real place of pain. However, our thoughts and reactions to the negative make a difference, and structuring those thoughts to be more helpful, balanced or empowering thoughts can help improve depression and anxiety associated with chronic pain.
4. Encourage re-engagement with the world and pleasant activities
Treatment of chronic pain in therapy will also focus on improving quality of life by re-engaging with pleasant activities, socialization and teach the practice pacing activities. Chronic pain may cause people to stop engaging in the things that once brought them joy due to pain, fear of triggering more pain, or fatigue. Part of treatment is re-engaging in activities and changing expectations of yourself when it comes to physical activities. Chronic pain can stop you in your tracks, and therapy can help create new or re-visit old meaningful activities to improve quality of life and increase happiness.
5. Help clients feel less isolated and alone
In addition to providing practical tools and interventions, therapy for chronic pain can provide a space to feel heard, understood, and hopefully less alone. Isolation and loneliness is a common experience in those with chronic conditions, including chronic pain and illness. Therapists can provide support, psychoeducation on common chronic pain cycles, and be a space for you to focus on yourself and feel supported.
In addition to individual therapy, group psychotherapy settings focused on chronic pain can also help with the feelings of isolation and loneliness that come with chronic conditions by creating a sense of community and shared experience.
If you’re interested in learning more about CBT-CP or working together, fill out my contact form or read more about my approach here.