Does Chronic Pain Cause Anxiety?
Does anxiety cause pain, or is the pain causing anxiety? It’s actually both. Pain can be a common symptom and sometimes a good indicator of an anxiety disorder, particularly generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease.
The link between anxiety and chronic pain
Chronic pain can take a terrible toll on mental health. On the flip side, poor mental health can also exacerbate chronic pain.
Excessive and persistent anxiety is considered a strong root cause for back pain, neck pain, and virtually any other kind of chronic pain, as well as an array of other physical symptoms. And while suffering from chronic pain is bed enough, anxiety is believed to further amplify a person’s perception of pain and suffering. But it gets worse – anxiety may actually cause pain that wouldn’t otherwise even be felt by making the body more prone to inflammation.
Unfortunately, this can create a negative feedback loop. Chronic pain leads to anxiety as individuals stress about how bad the pain will get, how long it will last, and how it will impact their lives. This growing anxiety then further compounds the effects of chronic pain. You can see how this can easily spiral out of control. But how exactly does this work, and why?
Even long after a diagnosis, the daily demands of living with a chronic illness can continue to cause anxiety. Loss of mobility or other skills and abilities can lead to worry about safety, employment, or financial stability. Others may feel overwhelmed with anxiety and struggle to cope.
Does anxiety cause chronic pain?
Anxiety and the stress it causes are common sources of chronic pain. There are several reasons why anxiety can cause chronic pain. Here are some of the most common reasons.
- Stress and anxiety cause our hormones to trigger a stress response, forcing them to pump extra adrenaline and cortisol into our blood stream. This leads to inflammation, which is one of the most common causes of chronic pain throughout the body.
- According to the American Institute of Stress, our muscles tense up when we are stressed. This can lead to tension headaches and migraines, as well as pain in the neck, back, and shoulders. Muscle tension can also affect the body’s joints, causing pain, tenderness, and aches.
- Stress adversely affects the body’s nerves and how they function. The body’s nervous system sends and receives sensory information from the brain. This system of communication works well when the body and nervous system are healthy. However, problems can occur when the nervous system becomes hyper-stimulated due to the body’s natural response to stress.
Consistently elevated stress can negatively affect any part of the body, including the skin, muscles, nerves and nerve endings, joints, and bones. As a result, pain can occur anywhere on the body including externally and internally. For some, the pain and tenderness are also accompanied by general fatigue and muscle weakness.
Reduce stress, relieve pain
Chronic pain and anxiety have a strong tie to each other. Persistent anxiety can eventually cause chronic pain for some people. Conversely, pain can be a common symptom or indicator of an anxiety disorder. Overcoming anxiety-induced chronic pain may require a variety of approaches.
Consider taking steps to relieve your anxiety. Helpful activities include deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and muscle relaxation. You may benefit from visiting with a therapist.
You may also choose to take the opposite route and reduce your stress by treating your chronic pain. If you are experiencing chronic pain and anxiety, consider seeing a pain management specialist. If you can get your chronic pain under control, it could go a long way toward improving your mental heath as well.
Suffering from anxiety and chronic pain can be a difficult and challenging situation. But that definitely does NOT mean there isn’t hope for relief. If you can take control and manage your symptoms appropriately, you have the means to overcome and return to a better, happier life.
The contents of this article are intended for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before engaging in any action or decision-making based on the content of this article. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of the content of this article or any other content on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website. Reliance on any information conveyed on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website without direct consultation with a healthcare professional is solely at your own risk.
Sources
- National Institute of Mental Health. “Chronic Illness and Mental Health: Recognizing and Treating Depression.” Www.nimh.nih.gov, 2021, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/chronic-illness-mental-health
- “Chronic Pain | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA.” Adaa.org, 2019, adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/chronic-pain
- Woo, Adam KM. “Depression and Anxiety in Pain.” Reviews in Pain, vol. 4, no. 1, Mar. 2010, pp. 8–12, 10.1177/204946371000400103
- Trevino, Kelly M., et al. “Managing Anxiety in Older Adults with Cancer – the ASCO Post.” Ascopost.com, ascopost.com/issues/august-10-2020/managing-anxiety-in-older-adults-with-cancer
