I do not personally know anyone with chronic pain, but in my History of Death in America class, we have read a lot of books about different people’s experiences with dying. A lot of these people experienced chronic pain, for example, cancer patients who are in extended periods of pain in later stages because of the chemotherapy and radiation that is attempting to stop the cancer.
A few unhealthy ways people deal with pain is through drugs and alcohol, overeating, and catastrophizing. Use of illicit drugs and alcohol is often a coping mechanism people turn to because it can be a source of quick relief of pain. The problem is that the relief is temporary and the usage has other consequences to health including addiction. Overeating is an issue because many people turn to food for comfort, which in itself is not bad but, when pain is chronic, it can lead to weight gain which can cause more complications including increasing the pain. Catastrophizing affects the person mentally because it involves obsessing over the pain and the person perceives the pain to be much greater than it actually is. All of these mechanisms of treating pain are bad because they often result in a downward spiral.
On the other hand, there are many healthy ways to deal with pain. Regular exercise, physical therapy, and psychological counseling. Regular exercise has many good effects, including the release of endorphins and the reduction of pain. Physical therapy can reduce the need for pain medications because you work with a professional that can give you specific exercises to help relieve your pain. All pain is real and valid, and sometimes part of the pain can be lessened by learning about the source of the pain and knowing how much control you have over the pain. Psychological counseling can help in this aspect.
NOP-coding genes are being targeted for gene therapy in the brain amygdala
Pills that contain compounds similar to nociception are being made that can inhibit pain in the amygdala
We live in a society where we are always learning new things about medicine and the human body. This means that we know where a lot of our pain comes from. We now know that pain is not just a physical sensation. Chronic pain can create emotional and psychological issues and without dealing with these aspects of pain, one cannot treat the pain effectively. While the stigma associated with visiting a therapist is lessening in our society, the stigma is still pretty strong. This can prevent people with chronic pain who need therapy from getting the help they need.
American Psychological Association. (2013). Managing chronic pain: How psychologists can help with pain management. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/pain-management
Healthline Editorial Team. “Chronic Pain Treatment Options.” Healthline, 1 Aug. 2016, www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain/chronic-pain-treatment-options.
Myers, Wyatt. “The Best and Worst Ways to Cope With Pain - Pain Management Center - Everyday Health.” EverydayHealth.com, Everyday Health Group, 29 June 2012, www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/the-best-and-worst-ways-to-cope-with-pain.aspx.
“Nociceptin: Nature's Balm for the Stressed Brain.” Nociceptin: Nature's Balm for the Stressed Brain | Scripps Research, 8 Jan. 2014, www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2014/20140108roberto.html.