Chronic Pain & Anxiety Connection

When you have a car you are told that in order to get the maximum performance from that vehicle the manufacturer and dealer provides every new owner with a schedule of suggested maintenance and the prescribed type of fuel, motor oil, and air pressure for the tires.  Along with that we are also told that the vehicle needs to come into the shop for tune-ups, service checks and adjustments, to make sure that as things and conditions change over time the machining is adjusted back to where it needs to be. Our bodies are the same way. We are made up of a series of separate, but interdependent systems. When one system is out of sorts ( i.e. hip dysplasia for the purposes of this blog) it is not uncommon to expect that other areas of the body will react in some very interesting and somewhat unexpected ways.

One of the ways in which I speak of is the connection between chronic pain and what I later found out was anxiety. But at first it started as a terrible feeling of complete dread for no reason upon waking. For no reason at all I was short of breath, my chest felt tight and heavy as if someone was sitting on me. I felt literally paralyzed and unable to get out of bed. I had never before felt this way and was struggling cognitively as to what could be going on to make react in this way. I have always been and intense person, a perfectionist at times, and some would even say (OK maybe a lot would say) quirky. However, this whole anxiety thing was starting to control my life in ways I couldn't control and definitely didn't understand. It would pop out of no where, and take the form of panic attacks. During an attack or an Anxious time I would feel like I just needed to leave, get away or get some air. I would feel like there was no way out of where I was-and I could be in an open field or a park and feel like this. During this time I was also feeling a lot of pain in my joints. This being said, it has been proven and studied in the recent past and currently that there is a strong connection between chronic pain and anxiety/depression. Of course it has been widely known that people that suffer from clinical depression often exhibit physical pain. But, it has become more prevalent that there are reports of people who suffer from chronic pain disorders and diagnosis varying from a wide range of ailments to also report that they suffer a greater incidence of anxiety and exacerbation as the chronic pain increases or goes through a cycle.

Having a good doctor that wants to treat you as a whole person is the first step. Just like with our cars, all of the parts have to be in good working order for the motor to run effectively. Understanding that mental health is part of whole body health and not something to be ashamed of is also a very important step. The time you have with your health professionals is the time to tell them EVERYTHING you have been feeling, even if you think it may not be important. They are the ones who went to school and trained for this, let them decide. You never know what may be important or lead them to a clue for a new treatment or perhaps a new avenue or referral for a consultation with a colleague.

THE GOOD NEWS:

The good news is that there are several ways to cope with anxiety once you realize you have anxiety. Also, just because you experience periods of anxiety it doesn't mean you will never overcome it, and it is a sentence or placard that you must wear forever that everyone will see. For the most part the most anxious people are usually the best actors around. In fact, I think there should be Anxiety Academy Awards!

Ways to Deal with Periods of Anxiety:

Reduce Caffeine

Exercise

Talk Therapy-This can help by working with a therapist to learn coping skills and techniques on how to deal with the triggers of anxiety and how to shorten an anxiety attack or panic attack should one occur.

Listen to music

Go for a Walk

Yoga

Monitor your Diet and eliminate preservatives and chemicals and artificial sweeetners. (next blog post will be about clean eating)

Talk to your friends-Don't hide

Make sure that you are getting enough sleep at night-stick to a routine

Enjoy yourself and laugh at least a few times a day-It helps to eliminate and manage stress levels.

Finally, just take a step back and realize that things will be OK-Ask for help when you need it. No one is perfect and we all need help.I know that no one likes a complainer, but problems do not get solved unless they are known.

Countdown to Surgery : 10 Days

~Drive Slow~