Why nutrition is important in reducing addiction

August 25, 2015

Why nutrition is important in reducing addiction: Substance abuse and nutrition connectivity

If we can all understand and appreciate why nutrition is important in reducing addiction, the scourge of addiction can become much easier to deal with.

Until you appreciate the roles or why nutrition is important in reducing addiction you may not really understand the value of good feeding habits. We are all aware that we need food in the body for the constant supply of energy that keep the body in motion but what many of us may not know is the undisputable benefits that come with a well balance diet particularly to the drug users. This is what we want to discuss in this article and with the help of doctor Dalal Akoury who is a veteran addiction expert of several decades this discussion is going to be enriched with very informative health information that you can’t afford to miss. From the expertise of doctor Dalal Akoury and her team of professionals who are working around the clock in ensuring that all problems that are associated with substance abuse are dealt with expeditiously, all you concerns about substance abuse and nutrition are going to be addressed professionally by the end of this narrations about why nutrition is important in reducing addiction. We therefore ask you to stay with us on the link and get the very first hand information that can only come from the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility founded by doctor Akoury to primarily find lasting solutions to all people who are struggling with all kinds of addiction.

Why nutrition is important in reducing addiction: Long term recovery process

The primary objective of doctor Dalal Akoury in the formation of this health facility (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) is to bring total transformation to all people whether they are suffering from drug addiction directly or indirectly. Therefore when we talk about nutrition and substance abuse solution we also appreciate the work done by the dietitian’s in treating substance abuse, however it is important to note that while this is an effective role they are playing, in many cases this often fall short of patients’ long-term addiction recovery process. Doctor Akoury agrees with experts that nutrition therapy for substance abuse can be very complex since the nutritional risks vary depending on the substance of choice. This is besides the negative conditions for successful treatment which are very common including poor support, co-occurring mental health disorders, or poverty. It therefore means that when exploring this avenue careful consideration needs to be taken to see that the recovery process is not compromised along the way. And talking of addiction it is defined as a chronic brain disorder characterized by compulsive and relapsing behavior. Besides that the predisposing factors for an addiction may include psychological vulnerability, biochemical abnormalities, genetics, and environmental conditioning. Take note that social isolation, depression, and anxiety are also very common among substance abusers, and drugs or alcohol often are used to relieve these negative feelings because they increase dopamine activity, which boosts mood.

Why nutrition is important in reducing addiction: Nutrition and hydration

According to the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, proper nutrition and hydration are very instrumental in the process of healing substance abuse complications because they help in the restoration of physical and mental health besides the improvement of the chance of total recovery. Remember that macro and micronutrient deficiencies can lead to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and low energy factors which can easily cause someone to start abusing drugs or alcohol or trigger a relapse during the process of recovery. It is also important to appreciate that substance abuse is a perfect vehicle that generally leads to a lack of proper nutrition, either as a result of not eating enough throughout the day or eating foods that are low in necessary nutrients. Certain substances, such as stimulants, may suppress appetite and disrupt metabolic and neuroendocrine regulation, leading to improper calorie consumption and impaired nutrient processing. Other than what we have already mentioned, abused substances may also lead to an increase in appetite thereby causing one to over eat and eventually gain weight.

Experts now say that owing to the appreciation as to why nutrition is important in reducing addiction, many programs that target substance abuse prevention are keen on addressing nutrition because of the fact that a healthy lifestyle is a key factor in promoting mental health. Therefore doctor’s advice for those who are struggling with substance abuse, is that nutrition plays very fundamental role in maintaining recovery while at the same time also improving the resulting health conditions and deficiencies. The good part of this is that you can chose to practice this comfortably at home with very minimal experts’ intervention. And besides all these, experts have established that individualized nutrition counseling and comprehensive nutrition education programs provided to the substance abuse population have significantly improved the level of sobriety success rate by up to three months. And in conclusion just in the same way as patients with diabetes or heart disease receive nutrition education to manage their diseases, it is important that patients who are struggling with substance abuse should also have nutrition education that addresses their specific risk factors and increases their chances of recovery.

Why nutrition is important in reducing addiction: What medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and nutrition education achieves

Doctor Akoury is of the opinion that Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and nutrition education should be in the public curriculum to keep people informed of the great benefits they stand to achieve in their health. This is a very healthy way of preventing effects of substance abuse and should not be limited only for the population of people who are struggling with substance abuse. Nonetheless MNT should target the following goals in dealing with matters relating to substance abuse:

Healing and nourishment of the body damaged by alcohol or substance abuse;
Stabilize mood and reduce stress;
Reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol;
Address medical conditions that are co-occurring or have resulted from substance abuse; and
Encourage self-care and a healthy lifestyle.

Finally we endeavor to use this platform to post and pass to everyone informative health information that meets the needs of people of all works of life across the globe. We understand the effects of substance abuse as they relate to nutrition and health, and it is our duty to help you go through treatment to correct nutrition-related deficiencies by addressing resulting health disparities and improving the lives of all individuals who are struggling with all kinds of addictions by providing necessary tools for lasting recovery. Therefore you can get in touch with us at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and we will be there for you to the very end of your addiction complications.

Why nutrition is important in reducing addiction: Substance abuse and nutrition connectivity

Types of depression which are associated with addiction

July 30, 2015

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: What you need to know about depression

Types of depression which are associated with addiction are not just harmful to individuals health but are also fatal if not addressed in good time

Research has proved that there are significant evidence linking depression and drug addiction. Today we have different types of depression which are associated with addiction some of which may include the following: A typical depression, chronic and psychotic depression. For us to understand these properly, we are going to be consulting with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and also the founder of the facility. Doctor Akoury is a veteran expert in addiction and has been in practice for well over two decades now. That can tell you that we are talking about nothing but professionalism at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. You can become part of this team by scheduling for an appointment today and all your concerns will be addressed professionally and promptly. And now to the types of depression:

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: A typical depression

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, there is a form of clinical depression which does not present itself straightforwardly. This is what is commonly known as “atypical depression,” where the symptoms are surprising and indeed, atypical to the condition. The “atypical” in the name does not mean that this is a rare condition it is found in 36 percent of all cases of depression only that it is different from classical depression. This type of depression is often associated with the following symptoms.

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: Symptoms of atypical depression

Doctor Akoury says that, those who have this type of depression (atypical depression) are likely to experience the following:

Sleep a lot (hypersomnia) instead of being unable to sleep
Overeat (hyperphagia) instead of losing your appetite
Gain weight instead of losing it

In cases of hypersomnia and hyperphagia, the variation or excess sleep is defined as 10 hours per day (or two or more hours a day than usual); the weight gain is defined as at least 5 pounds. There are other, more nuanced symptoms of atypical depression. You may actually experience happiness at good news, but the feelings do not last and are quickly replaced by more common depressive sensations. In fact, this symptom known as mood reactivity – is one of the criteria for diagnosing atypical depression. If a positive experience makes you feel more than 50 percent happier than you did before the experience, your doctor knows that you do not have major depression and can prescribe the appropriate course of treatment for you.

In another symptom, you may feel incredibly lethargic and completely drained of energy. While this is standard to victims of both classical and atypical depression, atypical depression is different because victims feel as though they are physically unable to move that is to say that they are feeling as if they are being physically restrained from getting out of bed, for example.

Atypical depression also can make you excessively sensitive to criticism and negative feedback. If this sensitivity negatively impacts your job or academic performance, and it causes stress in your personal and everyday life, your medical practitioner can use this to diagnosis atypical depression.

Similar to other depressive and mood disorders, women are more likely to develop atypical depression than men. Besides women, typical depression is also very common with teenagers than adults even though it can continue into adulthood if not detected and treated in good time. Other conditions, such as substance abuse, anxiety, and somatization disorder where the patient has chronic physical symptoms with no evident physical cause are more common in atypical depression than classical depression.

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: Chronic depression

Chronic depression also known as dysthymia, its effects are not as severe as those of major depression, but it lasts longer – upwards of two years. While the impact is not as crushing, the persistent, lingering effects of dysthymia are still serious cause for concern. Doctor Akoury reports that diagnosing dysthymia is not easy, because it does not present itself clearly as major depression. Given that it is diffused over a significant period of time, dysthymia is often simply brushed off as a negative disposition or a long-term bad mood. It often escapes the attention of the people who may be able to notice a problem because of how habitual the symptoms of dysthymia can appear.

Because of this, even people who have dysthymia may not know that they have a depressive condition. Unable to understand why they do not enjoy life as much as they used to, they are at risk for developing other comorbid conditions, such as eating disorder (never leaving the house and relying on comfort food), substance abuse, and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It is possible for the patient to experience an attack of major depression, even while suffering from dysthymia. This phenomenon is known as “double depression.”

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: Chronic depression symptoms

Other recognizable symptoms of chronic depression may be:

Insomnia
Fatigue
Excessive amount of sleep
Cognitive impairment
Hopelessness and despair

These symptoms may be familiar; they are also found in people who have major depression. The difference here is that for people with dysthymia, these symptoms are not as pronounced, but they can last for years. However, like other major depression, the effects of dysthymia are enough to disrupt daily life.

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: What is psychotic depression?

In the context of mental health, psychosis refers to a patient losing contact with reality. The following symptoms are associated with psychosis:

Hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things when there is no such stimuli
Paranoid delusions, or the fear that the patient is being persecuted
Cognitive impairment
Catatonia

Psychotic depression is characterized by the usual symptoms of major depression including insomnia, feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, inability to enjoy pleasurable activities, etc. with some manifestation of psychosis. The causes of psychotic depression are still not understood, but it is believed that an imbalance of a hormone known as cortisol (which is secreted in the adrenal glands, for release during times of stress) may be associated. It is also important to note that psychotic depression is different from other disorders where psychosis is present, like schizophrenia, because patients with psychotic depression are aware of their psychoses; that is, if you have psychotic depression, you will know that the voices you hear are not real.

Finally it is important to note that the shame or embarrassment inherent can make psychotic depression difficult to diagnose. Therefore taking early precaution is very necessary so that what can be avoided be avoided before it gets out of hand. You can talk to doctor Dalal Akoury of you feel that this describes you and she will be able to help you in the most professional way.

Types of depression which are associated with addiction: What you need to know about depression

Depression and the Connection to Substance Abuse

July 29, 2015

Depression and the connection to substance abuse: Understanding the two conditions

Depression and the Connection to Substance Abuse are realistically dangerous in any human life

We are at it again and this is because of the ever increasing concerns raised across the globe about the significance of depression and the connection to substance abuse. Professionals at the home of experts (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) are very concern at the effects of clinical depression and how it can take a toll on the body, mind and spirit causing physical health problems as well as a profound sense of hopelessness and despair. This is one health element that can ruin a whole society if not addressed in good time. And because of the increasing demand for health information about this two unique problems, we are going to be discussing this topic yet again to further give insight of the precautions that you can take to be safe of this devastating health condition.

According to doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) a veteran expert in addiction and also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the effects of depression can be felt primarily on a physical level in the form of sleeplessness, weight changes, inactivity and substance abuse. Doctor Akoury is confirming that from the available statistics it is true that the problem of alcohol consumption and drug abuse are more common with depressed individuals than in the general population. Besides that we can further make some confirmations from different bodies who are researching on the possible links between depression and addiction, like for instance according to QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, men diagnosed with major depression are nearly three times more likely to develop a dependence on alcohol, while women with depression are over four times more likely to become alcohol-dependent.

Depressive disorders affect the health and productivity of the general population as well as the life of the individual. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that major depressive disorder affects almost 7 percent of American adults and that is almost 15 million people, while dysthymic disorder affects 1.5 percent, and yet again the World Health Organization has also noted that depression is one of the leading causes of disability around the globe further giving us more reason to act swiftly. The expert’s at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury are reporting that if not addressed promptly, substance abuse can worsen the course of depressive disorder by increasing the risk of outcomes such as:

Drug or alcohol addiction
Psychiatric hospitalization
Suicide attempts
Accidental or intentional overdose

Individuals who are diagnosed with depression and a substance use disorder are more likely to drop out of conventional substance abuse treatment programs before they finish rehab. They are also more likely to relapse once they start a treatment program. Therefore it is important that the treatment for these co-occurring disorders should be done effectively and must target both conditions in order for the patient to achieve long-lasting recovery.

Depression and the connection to substance abuse: Recognizing depressive disorders

When dealing with situations like the two before us, it is very important that we are well informed of each of them so that we are able to make a distinction. Therefore the question that follows would be “how can you distinguish between depression as a psychiatric disorder and the blue moods that we all experience at times?” This is very necessary because with clinical depression, the severity of these moods is more intense, and symptoms last for longer periods of time. In order to meet the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder, the individual must experience at least five symptoms of depression for two or more weeks. The following are some of the typical depressive symptoms to watch over:

A predominantly low mood on most days of the week
Lack of interest in favorite activities
Physical exhaustion
Sleeping too much or too little
Unwanted weight loss or gain
Sluggish thinking or movements
Dwindling to focus on important tasks
Contemplations of death or suicide
Feelings of guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness

Dysthymic disorder, a milder form of depression, is characterized by less severe symptoms persisting for two years or more. People with dysthymic disorder may seem chronically unhappy, irritable or sullen. While the symptoms of this disorder may be less noticeable than major depression, however the effects can persist for years. One of the major challenges about this situation is that many individuals who are struggling with dysthymic are actually not aware that they have a psychiatric disorder. It is therefore important to note that when faces with such circumstances, then only a qualified professional either a clinician, a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist can make an official diagnosis of major depressive disorder. However, by learning to recognize the symptoms of this debilitating condition, you and your loved ones can prevent serious consequences like self-isolation, addiction and suicide. We understand that some of these problems may not go down well with many of us and that is why we are open always to offer our professional help to all members of the public of all walks of life. You can call doctor Akoury on Tel: 843 213 1480 to schedule for an appointment with her for a more consultative season and have all your concerns addressed professionally.

Depression and the Connection to Substance Abuse: How does depression begin?

It is common knowledge that ignorant is a very costly affair meaning that in our case study we must get all the information we need about depression and addiction for us to be able to understand and make the right decision. While addressing the question “how does depression begin?” Doctor Akoury registered that depressive disorders can arise from a number of different sources or from a combination of factors. And the following are some of the most common contributing causes for your consumption:

Stressful situations that aren’t easily resolved, such as divorce, the death of a loved one, or a serious injury or illness
Physical health problems, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, or alcoholism
A genetic predisposition to depression, or depressive moods in close family members
An imbalance of chemicals that regulate mood and energy levels, such as serotonin, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Structural abnormalities in the areas of the brain that regulate mood and memory

Finally imaging studies have shown that depression is linked to specific regions of the brain, and that these areas appear to be different in people with depressive disorders. Harvard Medical School points out that the hippocampus amygdala and thalamus may be smaller or function less efficiently in people with depression. We will however continue with this theory of Harvard Medical School in our subsequent discussions but in the meantime, if you or any one you know is struggling with depression or substance abuse, then it is important for you to seek for immediate help from the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center today without delay.

Depression and the Connection to Substance Abuse: Understanding the two conditions

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically

July 21, 2015

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: The best ways of managing pain and depression

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically is a sure way of restoring the comforts of life for absolute happiness and life enjoyment to the fullest.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically can be a tall order for many people owing to the many life demands and challenges. But all the same we must all do something about these two conditions despite those known challenges. That is why we as professionals from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury we are on the front in creating awareness to all people about depression and chronic pain so that people can take timely actions to defeat all the consequences that comes with late responses of these conditions. Therefore it would be very important for all of us to appreciate that depression doesn’t only affects our brains and behavior but it also affects our entire body. Doctor Akoury says that depression has been linked with other health problems like chronic pain and therefore if we have to address depression, then it would mean that we will be dealing with more than one health problem at a time which can be very difficult at times, but all the same it must be done professionally for timely treatment. Besides these it is important to note that depressive disorder or depression is a serious mental illness which can interfere with your daily activities, life and routine by impacting negatively on the quality of your life.

Pain on the other hand can also come in different kinds. The major types of pain we have include acute and chronic pain:

Acute pain – this kind of pain can be intense and short-lived, in which case we call it acute pain. Acute pain may be an indication of an injury however when the injury heals the pain usually goes away.

Chronic pain – this sensation lasts much longer than acute pain. Chronic pain can be mild or intense (severe). Therefore knowing how to deal with these conditions is very important and to get more about the approaches to take, we are going to respond to some of the questions that have been raised so that we can be up to speed with the modalities of dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically as we progress into the discussion.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: Is there a whole-life approach to treating pain and depression?

Like we had mentioned before, chronic pain and depression can affect a person’s entire life. Consequently, an ideal treatment approach addresses all the areas of your life that are affected by chronic pain and depression. Because of the connection between chronic pain and depression, it makes sense that treatments for these conditions overlap.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: How do antidepressants help both chronic pain and depression?

Because chronic pain and depression involve the same nerves and neurotransmitters, antidepressants are used to treat both chronic pain and depression. Antidepressants work on the brain to reduce the perception of pain. There is adequate evidence of the effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil and doxepin. However, because of side effects, their use is often limited. Newer antidepressants known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (Cymbalta, Effexor), on the other hand, seem to work well with fewer side effects.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: How can physical activity help both chronic pain and depression?

Many people with chronic pain avoid exercise. But, if you don’t exercise, you get out of shape and have an increased risk of injury and worsened pain. Consult with a physician to design an exercise plan that’s safe and effective for you. Remember that exercise also helps in easing depression by releasing the same kind of brain chemicals that antidepressant medications release.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: Why is taking control important for healing?

Chronic pain affects your ability to live, work, and play the way you’re used to. This can change how you see yourself sometimes for the worse as you feel victimized by the pain and depression. Getting busy and taking control of your life is important. Working with a health care provider who refuses to see you as a helpless victim but sees you as a healthy person with pain is important.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: How does talk therapy help chronic pain and depression?

Research clearly shows that, for many people, certain kinds of mental training can help improve chronic pain. Like for instance, cognitive therapy is one approach. In cognitive therapy, a person learns to notice the negative “automatic thoughts” that surround the experience of chronic pain. These thoughts are often distortions of reality. Cognitive therapy can teach a person how to change these thought patterns and improve the experience of pain. Besides that cognitive therapy has also been proven as an effective treatment for depression and can reduce symptoms of anxiety in those with chronic pain.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: What’s the best way to manage chronic pain and depression?

The best way to approach managing chronic pain is to consult regularly with a pain specialist or even your family doctor to create a treatment plan. When chronic pain and depression are combined, the need to work with a doctor is even greater. When you visit your doctor’s office, tell him/her that you want to gain control over your chronic pain and depression. As you develop a plan, keep in mind that the ideal pain management plan will be multidisciplinary, which means it will address all areas of your life that are affected by the pain. Therefore empower yourself by tapping into available resources such as the American Chronic Pain Association, the American Pain Foundation, and the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. It is important that when you’ve started the treatment process, you must stay committed to the treatment plan until you feel in control of your pain and depression and can fully live your life, doing the activities you enjoy.

Finally to defeat this problem, don’t wait for too long but find a cognitive therapist near you with experience in the treatment of chronic pain. If you are in doubt then you can locate one by contacting AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center or alternatively you could settle for any of the cognitive therapists’ professional groups mentioned above.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: The best ways of managing pain and depression

Coping with chronic pain and Depression

July 21, 2015

Coping with chronic pain and Depression: Things you need to do when in pain

If coping with chronic pain and depression is giving you helpless night, then you need to seek for help immediately. Early treatment will go along way is dealing with the problem effectively.

Pain is one thing that we will always live with and we cannot just wish away. If you have not been in any kind of pain the probably you don’t know what pain is and so I will take time to briefly describe to you what pain is. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, doctor Akoury says that medically pain could derived its meaning in relation to a sensation that hurts. It therefore means that there will be no pain without being hurt, feelings of discomfort, distress and in other times agony and this will also depends on the severity of the pain. When in pain you must be able to understand that generally pain can either be steady and constant and in such cases you may feel some aches. Besides that it might be a throbbing pain – a pulsating pain. The pain could have a pinching sensation, or a stabbing one. From the definition, we can comfortably say that it is not practically possible for one or those who suffer from chronic pain to feel stressed and depressed at times. This is no surprise, given the fact that “chronic pain” usually means pain that lasts more than three to six months. Nonetheless prolonged pain appears to set up a pathway in the nervous system that sends pain signals to the brain, even in the absence of an underlying anatomical problem. Therefore to understand the significance of pain well we are going to focus our discussion on the possibilities of coping with chronic pain and depression. Doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center will be sharing with us more about pain from a professional point of view.

Besides that it is important to appreciate that some chronic pain may be due to a diagnosable anatomical problem, such as degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis that can cause continual pain until successfully treated. More often, the chronic pain has no clear anatomical cause, as in failed back surgery syndrome or chronic back pain without an identified pain generator. In such cases, the pain is itself the disease. Yet again for some people, the stress and depression resulting from chronic pain can become consuming, and can even worsen and prolong the pain. Increased pain can, in turn, lead to increased stress and depression, creating a cycle of depression and pain that can be difficult to break. To be fairly safe from all these pains, there are certain things that we can do to prevent, manage or minimize chronic pain and depression. The following are some of the things you can do:

Coping with chronic pain and Depression: Minimizing the chances of developing chronic pain

Talking to a physician about symptoms of depression or stress, or a history of depression, while still in the acute pain phase can alert a physician to the need for consideration of both conditions in creating a treatment plan for the patient’s spine health. While one patient may demonstrate a full recovery from the initial injury, a patient who is more prone to depression and stress, shows signs of depression and/or stress, or who has a history of clinical depression may be more vulnerable to developing a chronic pain problem that persists beyond the initial acute pain complaint. An informed physician can suggest a treatment plan early on that treats the patient’s mental state as well as their physical pain, minimizing the chances of the patient developing a chronic pain problem.

It is advisable for patients to talk with their doctors if they experience any of the following common symptoms of depression that is changes in sleeping patterns, appetite and feelings of anxieties.

Remember that stress a lone can manifest itself in several ways. Therefore it is important for patients to seek their doctor’s opinion if they think or believe that they are displaying symptoms characteristic of stress-related back pain, which are similar to those of fibromyalgia: Back pain and/or neck pain, diffuse muscle aches, muscle tender points and sleep disturbance and fatigue. Besides that doctor Akoury says that chronic pain can also be exacerbated by things such as physical de-conditioning due to lack of exercise and an individual’s thoughts about the pain. Patients can help thwart their pain from developing into or minimizing chronic pain by engaging in an appropriate exercise program and practicing distraction, guided imagery and other cognitive techniques.

Coping with chronic pain and Depression: Stress triggers that can increase chronic pain

Patients can monitor how their own stress and anxiety affects their back pain by keeping a diary of when their back pain changes and what kinds of stress could be triggering the pain. This exercise can redirect a patient’s focus from the pain to the elements in their life that affect their pain. Identifying stress triggers or emotional triggers that affect the pain will give the patient the opportunity for better pain relief through avoiding or eliminating these stress triggers. Recognizing how depression and stress affect their pain can lessen anxiety by giving patients more control over their chronic pain problem.

Coping with chronic pain and Depression: Share your experience about depression

Doctor Akoury says that depression and an emotional reaction to chronic pain are normal. However many patients do not speak to their physicians about their depression because they believe that once the initial pain problem is resolved, the depression, anxiety, and stress they are feeling will go away. Nevertheless, secondary losses from a chronic pain problem, such as changes in the ability to do favorite activities, disrupted family relationships, financial stress, or the loss of a job, can continue to contribute to feelings of hopelessness and depression. Therefore talking to a physician about your feelings of depression will keep the physician better informed and better able to provide appropriate care. Remember that depression can affect the frequency and intensity of pain symptoms, and the healing process. In the meantime it is important to appreciate that getting simultaneous treatments for both the back pain and depression is healthy and will give the patient a better chance of realizing a full recovery.

Coping with chronic pain and Depression: Seek multi-disciplinary care for pain and depression

Did you know that by sharing your story with your physician about the challenges of depression, you can be creating an opportunity for a multi-disciplinary course of treatment involving both a physician and a mental health professional? This is very possible and with a team approach formula, both the pain problem and the depression are monitored simultaneously, and both doctors can communicate about how each area affects the other. It’s important for physicians to understand that changes in the physical symptoms of pain can also be related to changes in a patient’s mental state. Finally remember that even as you seek for these medications, some common treatments for pain, including opioid pain medication, can actually worsen your depressed situation. This worsening depression can then affect the physical presentation of the pain. Therefore if both physical and mental well-being is being monitored closely by medical experts, treatment and medication recommendations, including antidepressants, can be made that take both the physical pain and the emotional health of the patient into account. There are a lot more that can be done to remedy the situation. Therefore you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for more professional guidance today.

Coping with chronic pain and Depression: Things you need to do when in pain

Tag Archives: Major depressive disorder