What is chronic pain? How might it affect people emotionally, mentally, relationally, and spiritually? Dr. Joel Jin offers helpful insights on the psychology of chronic pain.
My research team has been tackling this question from multiple angles. I am grateful for two experts on the team, Drs. In part one of this blog post series, Dr. Jin will share responses about chronic pain and some psychological tools to cope with it.
My research team has been tackling this question from multiple angles. I am grateful for two experts on the team, Drs.. In part one of this blog post series, Dr. Jin will share responses about chronic pain and some psychological tools to cope with it. In part two, Dr. Wong will explain what gratitude is and articulate its role in helping people manage chronic pain.Most of us think of pain as a temporary alarm system—a sharp sting when we touch a hot stove or the dull ache of a healing bruise. But chronic pain is different. It is generally defined as pain that persists for three months or longer, outlasting the typical healing time for an injury. It isn’t just a symptom. For the roughly 50 million adults in the U.S. living with it, chronic pain is often a condition in its own right. What surprises many people—and even some clinicians—is that chronic pain isn’t always about physical damage. We often assume that if something hurts, something must be broken.becomes stuck in a high-alert state. The brain continues to produce a pain signal even after the initial physical injury has healed.Chronic pain acts like a volume knob turned up on every aspect of life. It is rarely just a physical sensation.: Pain is often a hidden burden. A person may withdraw from social gatherings because they cannot predict their pain levels. This leads to isolation or a sense of being misunderstood by loved ones.: Even one's spiritual life can be shaken. It is common to grapple with profound questions of"why me?" or feel a sense of abandonment by one's faith. Because pain impacts our ability to work, play, and sleep, it can slowly chip away at a person's sense of identity. Healing must be whole-person, addressing the mind and spirit alongside the body. PYK: For those experiencing chronic pain and reading this blog post, what is one thing that they could try today that can help them to cope with their pain better?If you are struggling today, one of the most powerful tools you can use is a technique called affect labeling.This emotional distress signals the nervous system to stay in a state of high alert, which can actually intensify the physical pain. To break this cycle, try the following: Acknowledge the feeling: Instead of trying to fight or ignore the distress, simply name it without judgment. Speak it out loud: When you feel a spike in anxiety, say to yourself: I am feeling anxious about this flare, or I am feeling frustrated that I have to rest.By naming the emotion, you move from being consumed by the feeling to observing it. This lowers the emotional volume, helping your nervous system feel safer and making the physical experience feel more manageable.Dr. Joel Jin is an Acting Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Washington. He is a co-author ofSelf Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Park Ji Hoon, Yoo Hae Jin, Jeon Mi Do, Lee Jun Hyuk, And More Bring Passion And Team Spirit On Set Of “The King’s Warden”Upcoming film “The King’s Warden” has unveiled its behind-the-scenes stills ahead of its release! “The King’s Warden” is the first Korean film to center
Read more »
Sixers mailbag: Paul George’s suspension, Joel Embiid’s scoring surge and trade deadline targetsGeorge's suspension has led to a rash of questions for Sixers fans, who want to know more about next steps for the Sixers approach at the NBA trade deadline.
Read more »
The Last Of Us Returns To Command Streaming Worldwide After Massive Season 3 UpdatePedro Pascal as Joel Miller with a rifle in The Last of Us season 2
Read more »
Joel Edgerton's Dual Performance Elevates Apple TV's Sci-Fi Multiverse ThrillerJoel Edgerton as Jason Dessen and Jennifer Connelly as Daniela in a promotional poster for Dark Matter
Read more »
College football powerhouse accused of 'tampering' after $10 million QB transferFOX broadcaster Joel Klatt took a major program to task for tampering.
Read more »
Joel Embiid not sweating All-Star Game snub: ‘I don’t need any validation from anybody’He still could be named an injury replacement, with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo out with a calf strain that is expected to keep him sidelined for at least a month.
Read more »