Being More Flexible with People with Chronic Pain Promotes Their Mental Health: Study

Sad depressed young woman lying on couch at home feeling headache fatigue loneliness, upset tired sick ill teen girl suffer from migraine anxiety, drowsy somnolent teenager rest on sofa after stressDealing with chronic pain can be incredibly challenging, and it may seem impossible to find ways for it not to impact your mental health. However, a recent study has suggested that being flexible when dealing with people suffering from chronic pain could be key to promoting their mental health.

By making accommodations where possible to reduce the impact of this pain on sufferers’ lives, they have been found to have higher psychological well-being levels than those without such support options. It is clear then that providing relief measures for individuals suffering from persistent bouts of discomfort is essential if we seek improved mental health outcomes.

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A new study from Edith Cowan University has found that for people living with chronic pain, the extent to which it interferes with their daily life can pose the biggest threat to their mental health. More than 300 people were surveyed and required to answer questions about their mental well-being, their pain intensity, and how much pain interfered with their everyday lives.

The findings of this study suggest that as a result of pain, some people may not have the psychological and physical capacity to participate in activities to help them attain their personal goals. This can lead to a significant implication for their mental well-being.

Previous research has found that physical factors such as injury, sleep, and disease and social factors can significantly affect pain management. This study backs up these claims.

“The good news is that this research showed personal goal flexibility (i.e., the ability to adapt and to adjust to life’s difficulties and obstacles) in how we strive to maintain or achieve the things that matter to us can provide a protective buffer in maintaining and promoting mental well-being,” said Professor Joanne Dickson.

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This study helped show that pain interference is reported as more problematic than pain intensity in people with chronic pain. This interference can negatively impact mental well-being. It was also found that goal flexibility and tenacity seem to buffer the negative emotional impacts of pain interference on mental well-being.

Brain Function and Pain Management

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Author Bio

Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.

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https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-02-flexible-key-mental-well-being-people.html
https://www.mhanational.org/chronic-pain-and-mental-health

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