Pain, especially in its chronic form, affects the sufferer not only physically but also psychologically, socially, and economically, significantly reducing quality of life.
Individuals with chronic pain tend to exhibit depressive and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, or may have symptoms that do not reach the severity of a clinical diagnosis. They also tend to have low self-esteem, social isolation, limited social life, reduced work performance, and are more vulnerable to obesity, sleep disorders, and problematic use of analgesic medications.
Thus, reducing pain episodes is not the only goal at the Therapia Specialists, Pain & Personal Care Unit: equal emphasis is given to the patient’s thoughts and emotions and to behaviors that arise, more or less visibly, from the presence of pain in their life.
Research has demonstrated the significant benefit of combining medical and psychological interventions in pain management compared to treatment without parallel psychological support.
The psychological therapeutic approach for chronic pain may include, for example, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is the most widely used due to its proven effectiveness across a broad range of cases.
The psychologist’s goal is to help the patient recognize and change their thoughts and feelings toward pain and the disease causing it, to readjust behaviors rooted in pain that have a major impact on personal, social, or professional life.
The psychologist aims to guide the patient toward increasing self-confidence, improving mood, enhancing mobility by eliminating the “movement equals pain” pattern, and improving sleep quality.
The ultimate goal is to help the patient regain emotional and mental balance, reconnect with the healthy aspects of their existence, and ultimately improve their quality of life.
Of course, the support of the patient’s family and close social circle cannot be overlooked or neglected, as they are the ones who daily absorb the strong impact that chronic pain has on the patient’s life.
