Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions on the planet. It’s said that as many as 70 percent of visits to general practitioners are related to stress and anxiety. How many more folks are in this struggle but have not been diagnosed? This is possible because anxiety symptoms cover a lot of ground. They can be overlooked or blamed on other issues.
For example, did you know that there’s a connection between chronic pain and anxiety? At least 60 percent of those who report chronic pain are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Obviously, this association must be explored and widely discussed.
Anxiety Can Cause Pain, Which, In Turn, Can Cause More Anxiety
The body of someone trying to cope with anxiety is a body at the most of its stress reaction. The ensuing tension causes more pain, while the heightened awareness increases the pain sensation. Consider how all of this creates worry for one’s well-being. This results in my anxiety and, thus, more pain. Chronic pain shifts reduce our ability to manage anxious feelings.
Adding to this insidious cycle, we can be tempted to become less active in the name of feeling less pain. Of course, such a choice only serves to raise the pain-anxiety ratio. Once again, we need to understand this connection and then take productive action.
Disorders That Can Highlight The Connection To Anxiety
The anxiety-pain connection manifests in many ways. Understanding more is a little easier if we identify specific conditions that clearly display how it happens. For example:
Fibromyalgia: There is no specific cause yet known for fibromyalgia. However, research has repeatedly identified an all-too-common trigger: anxiety.
Back Issues: Living in a sedentary society makes back pain feel like an epidemic. But it’s more than just how we sit and how long we sit. Studies find chronic back pain to be most often found in those with diagnosed anxiety disorders.
Arthritis: There are many ways arthritis occurs in our bodies, and thus, many common threads exist. One of those threads involves the documented reality that anxiety and arthritis very frequently co-exist and feed off one another.
Migraine: This one is tricky because anxiety can cause migraines, and migraines can cause anxiety. Either way, the connection is clear and must be managed.
So, What Can You Do?
A huge first step is to honor both disorders and their connection. The pain you feel must be addressed. Any and all anxiety disorders must be addressed. You must connect with an experienced practitioner to help you navigate such a complex healing journey. We’ll say more about that below, but first, let’s consider the steps you can take to help.
The Role Of Self-Care
Both anxiety and chronic pain can make us feel out of control. Self-care shifts that mindset. Suddenly, you become an active agent of change — taking powerful steps to complement the treatment you get from medical professionals.
Self-Care Elements To Embrace:
Exercise and physical activity
Healthy eating and drinking choices
Consistent sleep patterns
Stress management and relaxation techniques
Staying in touch with your social circle
Recovery Starts With A Phone Call
The frustrating cycle of anxiety and chronic pain requires an intersecting treatment approach. But, as with every journey, it happens one step at a time. Hence, you’ll want to reach out to a therapist who understands this cycle.
Once you’ve begun therapy, you can discern cause, effect, connection, and more clearly. Such knowledge is the catalyst for recovery. With all this in mind, I invite you to reach out to learn more about chronic illness or anxiety therapy.