People suffering with chronic pain and illness can naturally spend a lot of time thinking about how their pain is affecting their lives, every single part of their lives. Pain can make you feel like you are now useless, worthless. It can tear apart families and bonds we thought were forever, cost careers, friendships and freedom. The irony is that the more you believe these frightening, catastrophic things are going to happen, the more anxious you become and the more your pain goes up. Yet using CBT techniques can stop these thoughts in their tracks and actually help reduce your pain. Even if you have lived with your pain condition for many years, these techniques are worth learning and can help you release pent up emotions and cope during flare-ups or set-backs too. Thinking negatively about their pain, growing concerned, anxious, or pessimistic, though a natural and very human response, these thoughts can actually increase pain levels, so psychologists and therapists work with patients to reframe some of the negative thoughts surrounding their pain. Adding a psychological approach to your pain management tool kit can help you develop coping skills that will decrease anxiety, depression, anger and guilt – all of which help to decrease pain and increase your ability to live with pain. Everyone who lives with pain on a day-to-day basis knows how much stress can affect our pain levels. Depression, anger and anxiety too can all affect our pain in negative ways. Although a therapist can help you release repetitive or unhelpful thoughts, not everyone is able to utilise their services. So in the interest of making you feel better, here is a guide to using the very techniques a pain psychologist would suggest to help you reduce the negative thinking that so naturally comes with chronic pain and illness. Do not be hard on yourself. No one who has to deal with the lunacy that is CRPS/RSD or the barrage of symptoms that is fibromyalgia and CFS, can be blamed for negative thoughts. We’re human. Being ill and never feeling comfortable or well can strain even the most balanced of souls. Instead of blaming yourself, your pain condition or past events, focus on things that help you heal, cope and live again. Your life can be better, I hope this offering helps you cope. If you are able to see a professional, either in person or via Skype if you are housebound or currently bedridden, then do so. The investment could mean you cope better and also know how to handle flares and crisis. They are likely to recommend combining medicine, gentle therapies and psychotherapy. Realising that you have someone who can listen and advice you can be such a relief for many chronic pain patients who are struggling to manage the endless symptoms and challenges. Read more here...
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 07:18:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015