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<p><strong>By Laurel Kelly with Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.&nbsp;</strong></p>
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<p>Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how you feel, think, and behave, and it can lead to emotional and physical problems.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Depression and pain are closely related. Depression can cause pain, and pain can cause depression. Sometimes pain and depression create a vicious cycle where pain worsens symptoms of depression, and the resulting depression worsens feelings of pain.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>In many people, depression causes unexplained physical symptoms, such as back pain or headaches. This kind of pain may be the first or the only sign of depression.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Pain and the problems it causes can wear you down over time and affect your mood. Chronic pain causes a number of problems that can lead to depression, such as trouble sleeping and stress.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Disabling pain can cause low self-esteem due to work or financial issues or the inability to participate in social activities and hobbies.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Depression doesn't just occur with pain resulting from an injury. It's also common in people who have pain linked to a health condition such as diabetes, cancer, or heart disease.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>To get symptoms of pain and depression under control, you may need separate treatment for each condition. However, some treatments may help with both:&nbsp;</p>
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<p><strong>Antidepressant medications </strong>may relieve both pain and depression because of shared chemical messengers in the brain.&nbsp;</p>
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<p><strong>Talk therapy</strong>, also called psychological counseling (psychotherapy), can be effective in treating both conditions.&nbsp;</p>
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<p><strong>Stress-reduction techniques</strong>, physical activity, exercise, meditation, journaling, learning coping skills and other strategies also may help.&nbsp;</p>
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<p><strong>Pain rehabilitation programs </strong>typically provide a team approach to treatment, including medical and psychiatric aspects.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Treatment for co-occurring pain and depression may be most effective when it involves a combination of treatments.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>If you have pain and depression, get help before your symptoms worsen. You don't have to be miserable. Getting the right treatment can help you start enjoying life again.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Source: https://newsnetwork. mayoclinic.org/discussion/consumer-health-understanding-the-link-between-depression-and-pain/ <br><br>Exclusive content from CARE Magazine</p>
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