Pelvic Pain
Psychological Treatment
Chronic pelvic pain can affect every aspect of your life. It can cause changes in your daily activities, work, sleep and social life. It can decrease your quality of life and lead to stress, anxiety, frustration, and in some cases, depression.
People with chronic pain have enough problems without the added burden of depression. The information in this section can help you recognize depression and get help early before it takes a heavy toll on your happiness and recovery.
There is no single cause of depression. It can occur any time and can last a variable time period. Sometimes hormonal changes, lack of sleep and feelings of loss, shame, or even guilt can put you at a risk for depression that you did not have before. Living with chronic pain can put your body in a constant state of stress and can cause you to be at higher risk for depression.
Some people who become depressed have uncontrollable crying, sadness and even loss of self-assurance. Some people feel loss of hope and despair. Others who suffer from clinical depression feel confused, irritable or anxious. They may feel inadequate, have mood swings, and in some cases, have hallucinations or delusions.
Some people with depression are able to get better on their own, but many cannot. Instead, these people can get much worse over time. Due to feelings of guilt or shame, they will not ask for help. If you are feeling sad or depressed, talk about your feelings. Do not hide them from those who can help you. The sooner you get help, the better off you'll be. Recovery from depression begins with detection and immediate treatment, not delay and isolation.
Often, people with depression know something is wrong but suffer in silence. If you think you are depressed, make an appointment with your health care provider. During your appointment, you can talk to your provider about how you are feeling. The provider may ask questions or ask you to fill out a questionnaire. You may be surprised or hurt when the health care provider you trust refers you for a psychological evaluation. This is especially true if the provider claims that he or she believes that you have pain and that it is not “all in your head.” Why then is a referral to a psychologist necessary if your current pain and distress are considered real and valid?
Pain and suffering create emotional and social stresses that, in time, affect the way you respond to all sorts of things, including medical therapy. This can greatly affect your recovery even if your doctor has the correct diagnosis and has started the right therapy.
Meet with a qualified, experienced psychologist. Typically such meetings consist of an interview and then testing as decided for your particular case. Psychologists play an important role in helping your health care provider help you for the following reasons:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help you cope and live a better quality of life in spite of your pain. It may help you overcome your fears of daily life activities and returning to work. CBT is a combination of education, stress management, and changing some of your behavior patterns. It can help you understand your condition and train your mind and body to:
Pain and your Mental Health
Clinical Depression: What Pain Patients Need to Know
People with chronic pain have enough problems without the added burden of depression. The information in this section can help you recognize depression and get help early before it takes a heavy toll on your happiness and recovery.
There is no single cause of depression. It can occur any time and can last a variable time period. Sometimes hormonal changes, lack of sleep and feelings of loss, shame, or even guilt can put you at a risk for depression that you did not have before. Living with chronic pain can put your body in a constant state of stress and can cause you to be at higher risk for depression.
Some people who become depressed have uncontrollable crying, sadness and even loss of self-assurance. Some people feel loss of hope and despair. Others who suffer from clinical depression feel confused, irritable or anxious. They may feel inadequate, have mood swings, and in some cases, have hallucinations or delusions.
Some people with depression are able to get better on their own, but many cannot. Instead, these people can get much worse over time. Due to feelings of guilt or shame, they will not ask for help. If you are feeling sad or depressed, talk about your feelings. Do not hide them from those who can help you. The sooner you get help, the better off you'll be. Recovery from depression begins with detection and immediate treatment, not delay and isolation.
Psychological Evaluation
Often, people with depression know something is wrong but suffer in silence. If you think you are depressed, make an appointment with your health care provider. During your appointment, you can talk to your provider about how you are feeling. The provider may ask questions or ask you to fill out a questionnaire. You may be surprised or hurt when the health care provider you trust refers you for a psychological evaluation. This is especially true if the provider claims that he or she believes that you have pain and that it is not “all in your head.” Why then is a referral to a psychologist necessary if your current pain and distress are considered real and valid?
Pain and suffering create emotional and social stresses that, in time, affect the way you respond to all sorts of things, including medical therapy. This can greatly affect your recovery even if your doctor has the correct diagnosis and has started the right therapy.
Meet with a qualified, experienced psychologist. Typically such meetings consist of an interview and then testing as decided for your particular case. Psychologists play an important role in helping your health care provider help you for the following reasons:
- People with illness or injury go through great turmoil and stressful times. When pain or stress build up, other problems can arise. This can cause certain personality changes that may include problems within the family, with friends and in the workplace.
- The above may trigger other changes regarding work that include the stress of losing your job or getting less pay for a period of time.
- Conflicts in the workplace also may cause more stress and affect your feelings of self-worth. Happiness may disappear and be replaced with loneliness, despair and depression.
- Certain medications may be needed to help you on the road to recovery. These may, in fact, speed up your return to good health.
- Some complementary treatments may be suggested and given by the psychologist. These include biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy sessions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help you cope and live a better quality of life in spite of your pain. It may help you overcome your fears of daily life activities and returning to work. CBT is a combination of education, stress management, and changing some of your behavior patterns. It can help you understand your condition and train your mind and body to:
- Function despite your pain
- Get rid of destructive behaviors and attitudes
- Learn how to approach your life in a positive (instead of negative) way
More Information
Pain and your Mental Health