Chronic pain and its toll on mental health

Nigelrl

I'm part of a group for CRPS (Complex Regional Pain) and a major issue is how 24/7 pain affects our mental health. What is also high is lack of support for this well except here take a pill. 
That being said what are your ways of improving/maintaining your mental health

phi

I personally use mindfulness and meditation I find them useful as they train you to either concentrate on the source of pain or switch off for 5mins as I suffer from chronic me and nerve / joint pains and now arthritis in my spine it helps. I am also suffering from mental health problems and there is no support in my area for this. Perhaps we need to set up a virtual talking shop about mental health and chronic pain

Nigelrl

I too was taught mindfulness and it has become part of day routine
 I attend the qigong group and it has helped me so much and then there's good old divertion 
I totally agree about the need for more support in this area and like your idea 

Waylay

Distraction distraction distraction. Video games, loud music, stroking things with interesting textures. Relaxation exercises help me too.

Nigelrl

I agree re distraction how ever with painsomnia  (no sleep due to pain) the brain often goes to dark places. 

debbiedo49

Its definately a viscous circle for me, when I am anxious my pain is worse. With fibro my forearms and hands get so bad when im anxious thats my warning to take distraction action lol

Nigelrl

Right now this barometrical pinball is the pits

lottiekins

chronic pain does horrible things to my depression - for me its about finding new ways to do things or a purpose in life. I hate being off sick as my life is literally confined to bed and the sofa - continuous pain exhausts me more then anything else, and often gets to the point where I don't want to be around anymore.
I wish there was more support for people experiencing chronic pain - but with the understanding that pain is there on a good and bad day - for me, the only change is how well my head can cope with it, and thats where I need the help!

Waylay

I hear that, @lottiekins ! I was very lucky to get several sessions with a clinical pain psychologist as part of my pain management programme. She helped me to accept it.

Topkitten

I use Mindfullness and plan my actions very carefully (can't remember the term). These have helped me continue walking long after most would have given up. Now, without being able to use a wheelchair indoors, I am not only housebound but bedbound too (except I am in a recliner chair rather than a bed). The methods The Pain Clinic procedures they teach do work but really only before the pain reaches a certain level. After that there isn't much of anything that can help it seems.

TK