Psychological Treatments for CRPS & Chronic Pain

Psychological Treatments for CRPS & Chronic Pain

There are a small number psychological treatments available for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Chronic Pain. Most people who have been diagnosed with CRPS or another form of chronic pain will often have problems associated with the condition, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, general stress – all of these psychological aspects won’t help the pain from the condition.

You might find it hard to relax, unable to cope or find that you don’t get support from family or friends. All of these emotions are perfectly normal if you have been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and also for anyone living with Chronic Pain.

In many cases, psychological issues will intensify the pain and tend not to help the CRPS sufferer cope with everything associated with their CRPS, nor does it help people rehabilitate. So, as many treatments are often used to treat the psychological part of the condition, we have produced a series of blogs and articles dedicated to some of the main psychological treatments that might be offered to those living with CRPS or chronic pain.

Is CRPS A Psychological Disorder?

Many people ask if Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a psychological disorder. We can tell you that CRPS is not a psychological disorder. However, it can can cause mental health issues due to the constant high level of pain and other symptoms that patients experience.

Amongst the psychological treatments and therapies available, there are many mindfulness-based treatments that are helpful for people living with chronic pain. Psychological therapies for persistent pain mainly fall into four categories: Operant-Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

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Psychological Treatments for CRPS & Chronic Pain

Psychological treatments for CRPS and chronic pain provide non-drug methods for treating persistent pain directly by reducing the high levels of stress that very often worsens the pain. Psychological treatment also helps improve the indirect effect of pain by helping you learn how to cope with the many problems associated with pain. (Cleveland Clinic)

In this series of Psychological Treatments for CRPS and Chronic Pain, there are blogs and articles on the following:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT 
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing or EMDR
• Mindfulness Meditation for CRPS and Chronic Pain
• Rapid Eye Movement or REM – This isn’t a treatment, but the blog has information about tips for good sleep hygiene
• General Counselling i.e. talking through your worries, anxiety or concerns
• Stress Management
• Acceptance of CRPS and Persistent Pain
• Coping Strategies

For more information about the psychological therapies available to you as someone living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and to seek referral, speak to you GP or specialist.

Read Our Other CRPS & Chronic Illness Articles

Burning Nights CRPS Support has written a number of articles on living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and chronic illness. Here are some you may be interested in:

• 10 Tips You Need to Know About Travelling with CRPS
• 11 Tips For Coping with CRPS or Chronic Pain
• 12 Tips on How to Cope through Christmas Living With CRPS or Chronic Pain
• 15 Wheelchair Sports for Active Wheelchair Users
• 18 Tips Preparing You For Your Pain Appointment

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LET’S SPREAD AWARENESS OF CRPS!