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Depression and Chronic Back Pain
Depression is often observed among those suffering from chronic lower back pain. One does not of course know why such depression develops.
Depression is an emotional imbalance that occurs quite often due to chronic back pain. It is generally known as major depression as well as clinical depression.
Symptoms of chronic lower back pain
- Difficult to sleep which results in fatigue, irritability and tiredness.
- Extreme back pain can make mobility difficult. In other words it becomes difficult to travel and move around. They tend to move slowly and spend most of their time away from others.
- Suffer from financial restraints due to inability to work.
- The desire for sexual activity gets affected, which mars relationships.
Naturally, such symptoms can cause depression in the affected person.
How to treat lower back pain?
- Chronic back pain as well as leg numbness being can be taken care of by avoiding surgery. Medication is prescribed.
- Epidural injections are given for relief.
- Exercise.
- Physical therapy.
Depression often occurs due to various restraints imposed by chronic back pain and other related health problems.
How does one know one has depression?
The symptoms of major depression remain at least for two weeks. These symptoms are :
- A predominant mood of feeling hopeless, low, sad or blue or irritable and can include crying spell.
- Significant weight loss or poor appetite or perhaps weight gain.
- Either too much sleep or less sleep.
- Feel sluggish or agitated.
- Loss of pleasure and interest in activities.
- Decreased sex drive.
- Feeling of guilt or worthlessness.
- Concentration and memory problems.
- Thoughts of death or hoping to die or wanting to commit suicide.
With increased disability caused due to chronic back pain, the depression increases in a person. How?
- Increased pain causes immobility and naturally the person feels depressed.
- Also sleep is disturbed which makes the person feel tired and listless the next day. He or she suffers from fatigue as well as irritability.
- Financial difficulties duo to inability to work.
- Gastrointestinal distress due to the intake of anti-inflammatory medicines. One experiences a general feeling of mental dullness due to the medication.
- Memory problems and lack of concentration.
- Decreased sexual activity, thus affecting relationships.
Chronic back pain can cause much discomfort to a person. It can depress a person.
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