By Anxiety report chronic pain to half of all adults. Treating chronic pain effectively can be a challenge. When you add in the person also suffering from anxiety. You have a greater challenge to provide them with an effective treatment. For many adults, this is a situation that health professionals are given a try. To help those with both chronic pain and anxiety. To manage an effective treatment to bring them relief from both conditions.
New research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders shares the results of a study conducted at Columbia University (1). The researchers surveyed over 5,000 adults in Brazil who have anxiety, mood disorders and experiencing chronic pain. They conducted surveys as well as interviewed the participants in person. Among those with a mood disorder, they found that chronic pain was the most common condition. Around half of all adults had chronic pain, with 45% of them having both anxiety and chronic pain.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety interferes with one’s daily activities. It is the most common and pervasive mental disorder in the country (2).
Anxiety they report, is a psychiatric condition where the person experiences extreme worry and fear. They estimated around 40 million people suffer from anxiety disorders. With only one-third of the people who have receiving treatment.
For those who may have both conditions or loved ones who do have, it’s important to get the anxiety treatment. Being that anxiety disorders are highly treatable and the majority of people who have them are not getting treatment.
It should be beneficial to get anxiety report chronic pain treatment. As well as, addressing the issue of chronic pain.
Those having anxiety disorders who also experience chronic pain may have one of the most common chronic pain conditions. According to the ADAA, the most common chronic pain conditions that people with anxiety have include arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, and back pain. They also report that those with anxiety disorders may have a lower tolerance for pain. Adding to the challenge of effectively treating both conditions.
There are anxiety treatments that may also help to reduce chronic pain. These include cognitive-behavior therapy, medications, relaxation and complementary exercises, such as yoga and acupuncture.
Sources:
- Science Daily. Half of all adults with anxiety and depression report chronic pain. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170531133242.htm
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Understanding the facts. https://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety
