do back problems and depression go hand in hand? i have worked for the past 18 years now for the past 5 months have not. any feedback
2006-10-27 10:41:20 · 6 answers · asked by mamma bird 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
According to my favorite therapist, i.e. the one I see on a quarterly basis, any prolonged and/or severe pain can cause/trigger depression. There are painkillers that work on depression and (ooh, I hate this!) anti-depression medications that work very well on pain. And, to answer another part of your question, any sudden change in lifestyle or physical self-view can also trigger a depression. Of course, depression also helps to make everything seem worse than it is, just to make things interesting.
Talk to your doctor (your PCP first) and see what can be done for you.
Umm... if the back pain is caused by muscular spasms or weak/pulled muscles, you'll need to strengthen those muscles before anything starts to feel better. Even if it hurts. Sorry.
2006-10-27 10:50:59 · answer #1 · answered by elistanidel 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they absolutely do! Research has shown there is a strong correlation. A simple medline or CINAHL search will reveal hundreds of articles relating chronic back pain to depression. Different theories state that people with depression have an alteration in the production of neurotransmitters that regulate pain. Generally speaking, there is an overproduction in the neurotransmitters that are involved in the signaling of pain and an under production of neurotransmitters that are involved in the state of "wellness."
Now the question is: which comes first? Does the back pain initially cause depression and the cycle perpetuates itself? Or does the presence of depression make one subject to experience low back pain? My feeling is that it can happen either way. What I will say is that if I have a patient who has chronic back pain and has uncontrolled depression is that I pretty much garauntee that they will NOT have relief unless they get effective therapy for their depression in conjunction with their physical therapy. The mind and body have a close relation and you cannot separate the two!
Best wishes.
2006-10-27 11:56:18 · answer #2 · answered by mistify 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depression has been known to cause some aches and pains. I've suffered from depression for a few years and with the right treatment all the symptoms can be eliminated. However, your back pain might be caused by another reason so you best bet would to talk to your doctor about all your symptoms.
2006-10-27 10:53:42 · answer #3 · answered by veronica_pilcher 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ur not working because of ur back i am assuming. it is not actually the back that is causing ur depression but rather ur lack of activity and perhaps money that would b causing ur depression. why don't u talk to ur dr. and see if maybe u can go to work part time. or do something to get ur butt out of the house. u should also tell ur dr. about ur depression. good luck.
2006-10-27 10:46:26 · answer #4 · answered by Nora G 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
this is called psychosomatic disorder..when u fel depresd it affect any organ..in ur case the back pain in other cases may be the stomach..or headache...
2006-10-27 10:52:24 · answer #5 · answered by gamal_solimann 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to go to the doctor!
Really....its important....so go....
2006-10-27 10:52:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋