Chronic pain and mood disorders can often go hand-in-hand. In fact, as many as 50% of people with chronic pain also have depression. It seems that one particular pair of conditions – depression and back pain – may be particularly widespread. Considering how often chronic pain and mood disorders can co-occur, this isn’t very surprising. After all, back pain is one of the most commonly-reported pain conditions, and depression is one of the most common mood disorders.

How many people are affected by depression and back pain? 

Both depression and back pain afflict a large number of people. Over 26 million people in the United States suffer from back pain, making it the leading cause of disability among people in the U.S. under the age of 45. People who have low back pain are commonly in poorer physical and mental health than people without low back pain.

Around 20.9 million people in the United States suffer from some sort of mood disorder. Out of these people, a whopping 14.8 million have depression. Depression can (and often does) co-occur with other mood disorders, as well as with illnesses, pain, and medical conditions.

Why do they occur together? 

Back pain and depression often co-occur, largely because it’s possible for each condition to cause (or worsen) the other.

Dealing with chronic back pain can cause a lot of stress. Back pain can even affect a person’s ability to work, interfere with relationships, and chip away at self-esteem. Sleep can be disrupted by back pain, and the ensuing fatigue can further decrease quality of life.

Back pain can also make physical activity difficult or unappealing. Even if, in the long run, physical activity might help with back pain, it can initially be hard to get started or cause some aches and pains. Lessened physical fitness can further reduce self-esteem and interfere with relationships.

Aside from the effects of back pain, the pain itself can increase the risk of depression. It’s easy to focus on pain, which can magnify its effects. The higher the perception of pain is, the more likely it is to cause depression. Once depression has set in, it can cause emotional interpretations of pain, which lead to increased perception of pain. In other words, pain worsens depression, and depression worsens pain, which further worsens pain. As is obvious, the cycle can go around and around, worsening steadily over time if there is no intervention.

Just as back pain can lead to depression, depression can lead to back pain. Sleep disturbance, social withdrawal, difficulty at work, lowered self-esteem, and withdrawal from activities can all occur with depression. Additionally, many people experience physical symptoms, like pain, as a result of depression. Indeed, for some people, physical pain may be the primary symptom of their depression.

Medication use

Also, some overuse or abuse of some medications can lead to depression. Opioids, for instance, are a pain medication, but they carry a high risk of abuse, addiction, and depression. Unfortunately, when depression is causing or contributing to back pain, treating the back pain is unlikely to work unless paired with treatment for depression.

This can lead to feelings of hopelessness about ineffective treatment, which can further exacerbate depression and the risk for overuse of pain medications.

Recent research 

Recent research suggests there may be deeper reasons for the common co-occurrence of back pain and depression.

A study carried out by researchers at UC Irvine and UCLA examined the brains of rodents with chronic pain. They found that chronic pain can cause brain inflammation. This pain-derived brain inflammation causes faster growth and activation of a type of immune cell, called microglia. Microglia cells trigger chemical signals that restrict dopamine release. Dopamine aids in controlling the reward and pleasure centers of the brain, but it’s also involved in pain responses. As noted on Scientific American’s blog, it’s also involved in depressive behavior:

“[D]opamine could also be important in major depressive disorder. People with depression often exhibit reduced motivation, anhedonia (a decrease in pleasure from usually enjoyed things), sometimes motor decreases as well. All of these are linked with dopamine.”

Opioid pain medications also work by triggering the release of dopamine. However, the pain-derived brain inflammation and its resultant increased microglia cells mean that opioids can fail to trigger a dopamine response. This explains why opioids are often ineffective in treating chronic pain. If further research can continue to explain the mechanisms behind the relationship between chronic pain and depression, a targeted, more effective therapy can be developed.

Researchers are also considering the possibility of genetics playing a role. Data concerning over 2,000 twins was analyzed to look for genetic factors relating to both back pain and depression. Interestingly, the group with the strongest association between back pain and depression was the non-identical twin group. When identical pairs of twins were considered, the association disappeared.

Treating depression and back pain

Just as the development of back pain and depression can go hand-in-hand, treatment for these conditions can work together, too.

Treating a person’s pain while ignoring his or her depression can prove ineffective, and treating his or her depression while ignoring his or her pain can be ineffective, too. However, just because treating one or the other may not solve both issues completely doesn’t mean it can’t help, as explained at Everyday Health:

“What’s interesting about back pain and depression is that they seem to be so closely tied that getting depression relief may actually lead to back pain relief… On the flip side of the coin, getting back pain relief can also help the depression improve.”

Therefore, treating one or the other is much better than treating neither.

The best case scenario, though, is undergoing treatment for both back pain and depression. The first step in getting treatment is discussing all issues, physical, mental, and emotional, with a primary care physician. From there, the physician should be able to suggest specialists and coordinate treatment for both conditions.

But, one of the first steps to treating it is actually knowing if you have depression to begin with. Here’s how to diagnose this condition.

How to diagnose depression

You find yourself snapping at your kids. Maybe your temper flares more often in traffic. You don’t seem to have as much patience as you normally do, or small things get under your skin more than they used to. On top of that, your back has started hurting right around your shoulders, so much so that it can be hard to fall asleep at night. The signs of depression don’t always show up on a billboard; you may be suffering from depression and not realize it. One in four people suffer from some form of mental illness in their lives, but we still have a hard time bringing this “hidden illness” into light. Here are a few ways to do that.

What to watch for 

Depression can manifest itself in sometimes hidden ways. The most common signs of depression are:

• Changes in appetite
• Changes in sleep habits
• Low energy or fatigue
• Withdrawal or social isolation
• Feelings of worthlessness

Some people may experience these common signs in uncommon ways, such as:

• Increase in anger or irritability: You may be short-tempered or quick to anger or snappish
• More mood swings: You may find yourself going from one extreme to another in a flash
• Anxiety in social situations: You may experience anxiety in situations where you previously felt none
• Physical pain not related to injury: Pain in the hips, lower back, and shoulders indicate chronic clenching or stress

Some of these may be triggered by traumatic events. Some may be as a result of treatment for another condition. Regardless, it is important to talk to your doctor if these symptoms persist. Consider this first meeting a fact-finding session more than a diagnosis, and go in with an open mind (and heart).

Talk about it

If you have suffered from periods of depression or anxiety, it can be helpful to others going through a similar experience to know they are not alone. Depression can be socially isolating. The depressed person often feels alone and may question if anyone cares about them. Remind them that they are loved, you get it, and you are here for them. Often a person suffering from depression is plagued with the idea that they are their illness.

National Institue of Mental Health director Thomas Insel believes we should discuss mental illness in the same way we discuss things like cardiovascular disease, noting:

“We need to talk about mental disorders the way we talk about other medical disorders. We generally don’t let having a medical illness define a person’s identity, yet we are very cautious about revealing mental illness because it will somehow define a person’s competence or even suggest dangerousness.”

Don’t ignore it

Ninety percent of people who commit suicide suffer from mental illness, often undiagnosed. If you or someone you love is showing signs of depression that are persistent and lasting longer than two months, it is important to not ignore it.

There are ways to ease into conversations about sadness and depression, but sometimes we feel awkward and uneasy, especially when the depression may be related to grief or a traumatic event. When someone has died, we may hesitate to bring up that person for fear of “triggering” depression, but chances are good that talking about it may be just the thing that encourages someone to seek help.

Depression and back pain are a complicated and often related set of conditions. If you suffer from these conditions, head to the comments to share how you’ve dealt with them in your own life. 

Between 2015 and 2050, the number of adults aged 60 or over worldwide is set to nearly double from 900 million to two billion. This will make them the largest demographic in the world. With advances in technology helping us lead longer lives, this means that more people may begin to experience chronic conditions. While physical health is an important consideration, elderly mental health is also a crucial area of focus as the world’s population ages.

What’s the state of elderly mental health?

Currently, just over 20% of adults over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with a mental condition that requires treatment. This can include dementia, depression, and anxiety. In nursing home situations, over 50% of residents have some type of cognitive impairment that may exacerbate other health conditions.

Even with the understanding that mental health in the elderly remains a concern, people over the age of 65 are less likely to seek treatment for mental health conditions. This could be due, in part, to a variety of factors.

• Lack of access: If transportation is difficult, older adults may choose not to seek out treatment. Likewise, seniors on a fixed income may not be able to afford medications or treatments.
• Social stigma: The Greatest Generation was raised to keep their business private. They may be uncomfortable seeking help. Baby boomers, currently the largest segment of the population, may also feel that seeking help for mental health issues is a sign of weakness.
• Lack of resources: Mental health resources in general are scarce, and resources that focus on mental health in the elderly are even more rare.

Protecting good mental health in the elderly carries a few special considerations.

Increased risk of depression

Contrary to popular belief, depression does not have to be a normal part of aging. The process of physical, mental, and emotional change as we age can be difficult to navigate, but it needn’t necessarily result in clinical depression.

Unfortunately, older adults who do experience depression and other mood disorders are less likely to seek help for their symptoms. Early diagnosis and prevention of depression is key to successfully managing it, but many older adults do not receive the help they need.

In addition to the risk of depression, nearly 80% of people over age 60 have another chronic health condition. Many studies indicate that depression can negatively impact any other pre-existing illnesses, yet mental health in older adults is rarely considered in a treatment plan. This lack of treatment can result in a worsening of symptoms for both.

For example, patients with coronary artery disease and depression experience more frequent and severe chest pains even after their coronary artery disease is resolved. Only those patients who had their depression treated felt relief from their pain after treatment.

Less likely to see a psychiatrist regularly

A study from the University of Michigan Health System found that older adults receiving treatment for mental health issues were prescribed prescription medications (such as sedatives and anti-psychotics) at twice the rate of the general population. At the same time, they were much less likely to see a mental health specialist, working instead with a primary care physician for treatment.

Donovan Maust, M.D., M.S., the geriatric psychiatrist who led the analysis, believes that this trend is over-prescribing medications for conditions that might be better resolved with other therapies, especially when drug interactions are a concern:

“Our findings suggest that psychotropic medication use is widespread among older adults in outpatient care, at a far higher rate than among younger patients. In many cases, especially for milder depression and anxiety, the safer treatment for older adults who are already taking multiple medications for other conditions might be more therapy-oriented, but very few older adults receive this sort of care.”

Requires more specialized therapists

Geropsychologists are mental health professionals who specialize in the study and treatment of mental health in older adults. In addition to receiving specialized training on the physical and mental health needs of those over 60, geropsychologists also work with families to ensure productive, engaged later years of life.

In the U.S., there are less than 20 specialized programs for geropsychologists. Just over 4% of practicing psychologists identify themselves as geropsychologists, but 39% pf psychologists seeing patients report that they are treating the elderly. With a rapidly growing older population, the shortage of qualified geropsychologists is set to exponentially increase over the next 25 years.

Risk factors for poor mental health

Other risk factors for poor mental health in adults over 60 include:

• Other chronic conditions, such as chronic pain
• Loss of independence
• Changes in financial outlook
• Death of a spouse or friends

The two predominant mental health issues that affect adults over 60 are dementia and depression.

The key characteristic of dementia is a decline in cognitive ability that impacts daily life. This can include memory loss, fuzzy thinking or inability to focus, loss of balance or motor control, and confusion. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia. Worldwide nearly 48 million people are diagnosed with dementia, with many more going undiagnosed and untreated.

Depression is a condition that can cause tremendous suffering among people of any age. Deep sadness, fatigue, irritability, and inability to concentrate are characteristics of this disease, which affects an estimated 7% of older adults.

Elderly mental health is a public health issue

Over 61 million adults in the U.S. live with a mental health condition, just under 14% of whom experience a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major clinical depression. Even if you don’t suffer from a mental health condition, chances are good that you know someone who is directly or indirectly affected.

Separate from the emotional impact of mental health conditions, direct mental health costs in terms of lost wages total over $193 billion dollars annually. Mental illness also impacts everything from the likelihood of imprisonment, homelessness, and early death.

Mental health in the elderly is also a vital part of our identity in the U.S. The cost of ignoring mental health in in the elderly is high, not just in terms of dollars but also in terms of the contributions that they have made and continue to make to our society. A thriving, vibrant senior community is an important resource. For more on this issue, visit the Center for Disease Control’s report on the state of mental health and aging in America.

How to improve elderly mental health

Elderly mental health issues carry high costs. Directly, those with dementia and depression have poorer health outcomes when also faced with chronic illness such as hypertension and diabetes. Indirectly, mental health conditions can cost families and friends time with their loved ones. Workplaces that can benefit from the experience and skill of older adults lose out on their expertise.

Mood and neurological disorders are not inevitable as we age. There are concrete steps we can take to improve mental health, before and after age 60.

1. Consider pet ownership

Especially for those older adults who find themselves with no relatives or friends living close by, pet ownership can offer tremendous benefits. One study in 1990 found that older adults with pets utilized medical care far less frequently than those without pets. Dogs in particular seemed to foster a sense of responsibility and connection among their owners, a connection that resulted in fewer doctor visits.

Researchers at Taylor & Francis have also found that owning a pet can increase physical activity and reduce isolation. Study author Keith Anderson from the University of Montana noted that there are some barriers to pet ownership, especially for low-income people, but that shelters and other programs are working creatively to find solutions. Many older adults worry about fees associated with pet ownership and who will take care of their pet if they fall ill.

Anderson noted that resources to address these concerns were increasing in number and availability, saying:

“Programs are emerging that facilitate the adoption of pets by older adults. These programs match older adults with adult shelter animals and provide support throughout the adoption and ownership processes. Lower-income older adults often live in buildings where there are fees and deposits associated with owning pets. We need creative solutions to address these financial barriers.”

2. Pick up the phone

For those for whom pet ownership is not an option, simply picking up the phone can improve elderly mental health.

A study from the Wake Forest School of Medicine in conjunction with Washington University in St. Louis found that talk therapy conducted via telephone is effective for treating anxiety disorder among older adults. These are important findings, especially for the elderly in rural areas, where mental health services are scarce and the treatment protocol leans heavily on sedative drugs.

Eric J. Lenze, MD, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, pointed out that as the baby boomers age, the current understaffed mental healthcare system is woefully inadequate to meet their needs. Relying on medication to improve mental health can result in other serious consequences:

“The drugs that many older adults receive, particularly benzodiazepines for anxiety, can cause cognitive impairments and motor problems. But seniors who are anxious or have insomnia are receiving a skyrocketing number of prescriptions for these drugs, particularly in rural America. That’s a recipe for disaster because giving seniors benzodiazepines can contribute to serious and expensive consequences, such as broken hips, an acceleration in dementia and a general decline in an older person’s ability to function.”

This type of therapy is at least as successful as face-to-face therapy when it comes to minimizing the use of medications for mental health issues.

3. Get social

As we age, we may feel less like living it up and staying out until the wee small hours of the morning. While all-nighters are not necessary to improve mental health, new research is finding that an active, involved social life, complete with social goals, are key to better mental health. A study published by the American Psychological Association found that even for those seniors with other health challenges, an active social life helped increase study participants’ sense of well-being later in life.

Interestingly, family involvement and socialization were not directly connected to an increased sense of well-being.

Gert Wagner from the German Institute for Economic Research, one of the co-authors of the study, pointed out that while social goals and engagement may result in feelings of competence and the idea that seniors are contributing to society, families don’t necessarily offer the same rewards:

“A socially engaged lifestyle often involves cognitive stimulation and physical activity, which in turn may protect against the neurological and physical factors underlying cognitive decline, [but family] life is often a mixed bag and represents not only a source of joy, but also of worry and tensions, stress, and sorrow.”

It can be difficult to find balance between social events that are enriching and those that are obligatory, but the bottom line is that staying engaged is a crucial step to improve mental health.

With new studies showing that loneliness and isolation are just as much of a threat to longevity as obesity, it is important to take concrete steps to improve elderly mental health. If you are a senior, what makes you feel more connected and mentally healthy?

What are common physical arthritis symptoms? 

Physically, arthritis is the blanket term for more than 100 conditions that cause joint pain. The physical arthritis symptoms most of these types have in common include:

• Joint pain and swelling
• Fatigue
• Stiffness
• Limited mobility

Osteoarthritis is the most common form, affecting more than 27 million people nationally. Patients experience eroding cartilage in their joints, leading to pain as ultimately bone rubs against bone during movement. Osteoarthritis mostly occurs in older people, although little is known about why it develops.

Another common form is rheumatoid arthritis, which affects 1.5 million people in the U.S. The condition is an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s defense mechanisms rally to fight against its own joint tissue. This results in painful inflammation.

No matter which type of arthritis a person has developed, the pain, stress, and uncertainty that comes along with a chronic condition has been shown in numerous studies to increase the risk of mood disorders like depression and can also lay the foundation for a risk of poverty.

Arthritis and mood disorders are linked, here’s how

About one-third of arthritis patients experience depression and anxiety, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Experts say these mood disorders often go undiagnosed, leaving patients without the treatment and support they need to improve. Treating mental distress is important because it could reduce pain. However, only about 50% of arthritis patients with depression or anxiety seek help.

Meanwhile, about 40% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis develop depression, the Foundation says. This melancholy is also associated with worse pain, higher death rates, and a greater likelihood of developing additional health concerns.

Let’s discuss some of the recent research into these mental health arthritis symptoms.

Impact on exercise

Depression, anxiety, and arthritis often co-exist in the same patient, researchers have found. Researchers at the University of Basel investigated this link and theorized that depression reduces a person’s interest in exercising, which increases the risk of developing arthritis.

However, the reverse could also be true, scientists said. Joint pain could reduce a person’s ability to exercise, which then contributes to depression. Exercise is a powerful way to improve mood; it encourages the release of natural feel-good chemicals and also reduces stress.

A third theory blamed inflammation, with scientists noting that some studies have cited inflammation as a cause of depression. Inflammation is an inherent part of arthritis and a cause of much pain.

Researchers said more research is needed to analyze this link more deeply. This, in turn, could help doctors better treat people living with both physical arthritis symptoms and mood disorders.

Talk therapy for arthritis symptoms? 

Another common depression treatment may also help alleviate osteoarthritis pain, a study says. Researchers at the University of Manchester have found that the brains of osteoarthritis patients may process pain abnormally. They theorize that targeting the errant processing through talk therapy rooted in mindfulness may help.

Researcher Anthony Jones says:

“The extent of pain experienced by sufferers of arthritis has always been thought to result from the direct consequences of joint destruction. However, the extent of pain is often poorly related to the amount of damage.”

A wide disparity exists among the levels of pain reported by arthritis patients. Two patients with similar stages of arthritis symptoms do not always report similar levels of pain. Additionally, many patients experience pain in areas of the body that don’t have arthritis.

The scientists hypothesized that patients feel arthritis pain in ways similar to those with fibromyalgia. To further investigate how the brain operates in these conditions, researchers measured brain functioning across several groups of people: those with osteoarthritis, with fibromyalgia, and no pain at all. Researchers used a short, painful laser pulse as the stimulus.

Researchers found the subjects’ experience of pain was directly related to brain activity, and that patients with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia may experience similar abnormalities in pain processing. Patients experiencing the most pain experienced heightened activity in an area of the brain called the insula cortex, and lessened activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which also related to a more difficult time coping with pain.

Researchers believe that by artificially increasing activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, they could help patients better cope with pain and encourage healthier functioning. Mindfulness-based talking therapy is one way of changing the way a person’s brain responds to pain. As a bonus, it could also help to alleviate depression or anxiety.

Treating depression and heart disease, together

Treating depression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is also important for reducing risk of heart disease, study shows.

Living with a chronic disease is difficult and often gives rise to painful emotions like anger, stress, and anxiety. These emotional arthritis symptoms, coupled with an inadequate support network, have been linked to plaque-filled arteries in rheumatoid arthritis patients, according to research published in the journal Arthritis Care and Research.

Researchers say that screening patients for mood disorders could reduce the number of people who develop cardiovascular disease. People with rheumatoid arthritis have higher rates of heart disease than the general population.

Arthritis symptoms, depression, and sleep issues 

Sleepless nights also increase risk for heightened pain and depression for osteoarthritis patients, researchers say.

Many people with osteoarthritis report their pain keeps them up at night, and researchers at the University of Alabama found that patients in the most pain experienced the highest rates of depression, fueled by a combination of pain and sleepless nights. In a vicious cycle, pain makes it harder to sleep, which can cause more pain and increase the risk of depression.

Depression also interferes with sleep quality and the experience of pain, researchers said. Study authors are hopeful that additional research could uncover treatments to interfere with this harmful cycle.

Bipolar treatment for arthritis? 

A drug used to treat bipolar disorder could also offer hope for arthritis patients, scientists discover.

Lithium chloride, commonly used as a mood stabilizer for bipolar patients, could slow the breakdown of cartilage that occurs with osteoarthritis, according to research from Queen Mary University of London. Study co-author Martin Knight says:

“While we’re still at an early stage in researching lithium’s effects on cartilage and its suitability as a treatment, the possibility that an already widely available pharmaceutical could slow its progress is a significant step forward.”

Arthritis patients also face an increased risk of poverty

Arthritis is a painful condition that results in pain and reduced mobility. It’s also the leading cause of disability in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That could be one reason why arthritis is associated with increased rates of poverty, especially among women, according to research published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology.

The research on arthritis and poverty

In the study, researchers surveyed 4,000 people and found that arthritis increased a woman’s risk of living in poverty by 51%. For men, the added risk was 22%.

Researchers also examined the number of patients with arthritis who live in “multidimensional poverty”—a compilation of educational attainment, income, and health. Arthritic women were 87% more likely to fall into this category, along with 29% of arthritic men. Study author Dr. Emily Callander says:

“With population aging occurring in most of the developed nations around the world, health conditions such as arthritis will become increasingly common. That developing arthritis has such a pronounced impact on the risk of falling into poverty should flag to policy makers in welfare departments the influence of the condition on national living standards.”

Researchers also said the high poverty rates should signal health care professionals that more affordable methods of managing pain and preventing disability are critical to improving people’s lives.

Arthritis is closely linked to poverty. Researchers urge policy makers to take action and help those who are suffering. Globally, about one in eight adults live with arthritis, and experts predict that number will increase by 50% over the next 20 years, according to Medpage Today.

Before the study, researchers knew that low-income people were more likely to have arthritis than people with higher incomes. This research covered new ground in that it began investigating the reverse, the idea that having arthritis could be the determining factor in losing income and falling into poverty.

How does arthritis contribute to poverty?

Arthritis is a condition marked by painful joint inflammation and reduced mobility. Many patients have difficulty climbing stairs or walking even relatively short distances, according to CDC.

Other difficult-to-perform tasks may include grasping small objects, sitting for more than a couple hours, kneeling or bending over, or carrying more than ten pounds.

Although varying stages of arthritis exist, about 43% of patients report limited activity, according to the CDC. And 31% of patients between the ages of 18 to 64—the range considered working age—say the condition limits their ability to work.

Race also affects an arthritis patient’s risk of falling into poverty. For instance, although the CDC says arthritis rates are lower among black people than white, blacks are more likely than whites to experience limitations in daily activities and the ability to work.

The same is true for Hispanics, who have lower rates of arthritis than white people, but are more likely to experience activity limitations or difficulties working. Minorities with arthritis are also more likely to report severe pain than white people with the condition.

Arthritis and work 

Arthritis pain makes it difficult to work, increasing the risk for poverty. Fortunately, help is available.

While exercise and healthy eating are often recommended to reduce arthritis pain and related inflammation, expensive medications or treatments are sometimes necessary. Out-of-pocket costs for this care can be expensive, making it difficult to access for low-income patients or those living in poverty. And in some cases, paying for medical treatment puts patients in financial ruin.

Treatments for the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, in particular, tend to be very costly. Research and development is expensive, and drug manufacturers must pass that cost onto consumers in an effort to recoup their investment, according to WebMD. This process of extensive research also means fewer generic options are available, forcing patients to pay for expensive brand name drugs.

Also, some of these drugs must be given through an infusion, requiring the additional cost of a doctor’s visit.

Arthritis financial assistance programs 

Fortunately, there are people working to alleviate patients from the non-physical symptoms of arthritis. For example, variety of programs are available to help patients access the financial care they need. These include the following.

1. Assistance Fund

This organization offers two programs: one that helps qualified people pay for medication co-payments and another that helps people pay for health insurance premiums.

Patients must apply to each program separately, but can receive money from both if they qualify and if funds are available.

2. NeedyMeds

NeedMeds is a storehouse of information, a website that helps people navigate the vast network of available resources. Users can search by condition, government program, or state.

The website is an easy way to search through the 5,000 assistance programs, 1,500 medication coupons, and 13,000 health clinics serving low-income people that are listed.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)

This non-profit intervenes with insurance companies, employers, and creditors as needed on the patient’s behalf. PAF helps people keep their jobs, negotiate debt issues, and can help sort out problems with insurance.

The organization has on staff attorneys, case managers, and doctors who are knowledgeable about the confusing system that arthritis patients may have trouble navigating.

While PAF also offers a Co-Pay Relief Program that helps qualified patients pay for medicine or treatment, the organization’s primary function is to be an advocate. For example, a person may feel discriminated at work because of arthritis. PAF can help.

The organization’s website also offers an abundance of information about other types of help available, such as a directory of payment assistance programs offered by drug manufacturers and databases of available help for those who are uninsured and underinsured.

4. Operation Walk USA

Arthritis patients in the most pain with the least mobility are often advised to undergo joint replacement surgery. This surgery can be expensive, and it involves a lengthy recovery time that could impact a person’s ability to earn money.

Operation Walk USA offers free knee and hip replacement surgeries to qualified U.S. patients. This allows people to regain mobility and with it, their lives. The organization works by connecting patients with a network of physicians who operate pro bono.

Find help 

If you suffer from arthritis, there are doctors and assistance programs to help you deal with the lesser known arthritis symptoms, such as poverty and mental health challenges.

For mental health challenges, work closely with a pain doctor. They can connect you to mental health professionals in the community who are experts at working with pain patients. They can also connect you with local pain support groups.

Likewise, working with a compassionate doctor can help you alleviate some of the financial burden of arthritis. They can connect you to assistance programs, or introduce a blend of lower-cost treatments into your pain treatment. Click here to find a pain doctor in your area today.

Are you an arthritis patient who has experienced non-physical arthritis symptoms because of your condition? Share your story in the comments below.

The experience of pain is a complex interaction of biological and psychological processes. The traditional view of pain was that it is the result of damage to tissues of the body that is detected by nerves that transmitted this information to the brain. This biologically focused view is accurate, but it is incomplete. The signals being sent by the nerves can be altered by a number of factors when it comes to pain treatment, including an individual’s psychological state or expectations.

Placebo effect on pain treatment outcomes

One of the most well known examples of expectations influencing the perception of pain is the placebo effect. For centuries, researchers have found that delivering a treatment with no therapeutic benefit (e.g., a sugar pill) would produce pain relief in a substantial percentage of cases. This has been observed not just with oral medications, but also with injections and surgical procedures. Though some might attribute these findings to patients lying either about their initial pain or the relief, or conclude that the researchers had tricked the patient into reporting relief that they weren’t really feeling, other research suggests these explanations do not fit the facts.

Researchers in recent decades have utilized the open-hidden paradigm to study placebo effects. In this research, all patients are given an effective, widely used pain reliever. In the open treatment method, the drug is delivered by a doctor visibly administering the medication to the patient. In the hidden treatment method, a machine administers the medication through the patient’s IV without the patient’s awareness. Patients receiving the drug through the open delivery method reported greater pain relief than those receiving the hidden delivery method. In other words, even a pain treatment that is effective will be less successful when the patient is not expecting the benefit. This suggests that the placebo effect is part of a broader phenomenon. Our expectations, either that we will or won’t get pain relief, influence the results of a pain treatment.

Psychological factors in pain

The implications of this research go beyond those patients involved in research studies. Patients have varying expectations about how effective a pain treatment will be based on a number of factors, including their own experiences with other treatments, what they have heard from others, and their view of the medical profession in general. These expectations can also be influenced by aspects of their psychological state, such as depression or anxiety.

Psychologists who study mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, have found that they are often sustained by inaccurate beliefs and expectations. For example, a person might believe that their life will always be bad, when a high probability exists that it will get better. Another person might believe with certainty that something very bad will happen, when the probability of that outcome is almost nonexistent. Whether one is experiencing a mood disorder or simply going through a period of depression or anxiety, these states can influence expectations about the effectiveness of treatments for pain.

Numerous studies have found that depressed or anxious patients get less pain relief from injection therapies, implanted devices, and surgical procedures than do non-depressed and non-anxious patients. This is not surprising, given the potential for depression or anxiety to lead to unrealistically pessimistic expectations. This illustrates the importance of obtaining appropriate treatment for mood disturbances in addition to medical therapies for pain.

Our own practice has behavioral health services and a patient support group available for patients. Other forms of psychological counseling are available to patients who feel they may benefit from it. It is worth noting that it is particularly relevant for patients with chronic pain, because receiving treatment for mood disturbances may help not only their mood, but potentially improve their pain relief as well. One additional positive research finding is that when depressed or anxious patients do get effective pain relief from various pain therapies, their depression or anxiety tends to improve as well.

Ted Swing has more than eleven years of research experience in psychology and pain medicine and four years of teaching experience, has published in top psychology and medical journals, and has presented his research at major conferences. He received his Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Iowa State University and has been the Research Director at Arizona Pain since May 2012.

Mental health and how to practice self-care are subjects most people know little about. Psychology can be scary and difficult to understand, especially when you are in the thick of a problem like depression, anxiety, anorexia, or any other psychological disorder. How do you find help for these issues if you are not ready or sure you should reach out or pay big bucks to get some much-needed therapy? Look no further than YouTube! Kati Morton is a vlogger we love who can help bridge the gap and provide you with the resources and motivation you need to take the first step towards a better you.

Kati Morton: Who is she?

Morton is a licensed marriage and family therapist who received a bachelor’s degree in psychology as well as a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine. She graduated at the top of her class and started her career by working at an eating disorder residential clinic and afterwards specialized in eating disorders management, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive eating/binge eating disorder. Morton currently practices in Santa Monica, CA and is an entrepreneur and YouTube vlogger who has built a global mental health community of over 100,000 followers.

Morton started this journey by realizing that treatment needed to be provided sooner to patients when she worked in a hospital treatment center. A lot of people ended up hospitalized because, after they had refused treatment for so long, there were no other options. She found so many people who could not benefit from counseling because they were too sick to actively participate or give feedback in their sessions. That is when she decided that more had to be done ahead of time to prevent these problems from getting critical. As Morton puts it:

“I have made it my mission to share my knowledge and education with anyone who will listen. I hope that by creating videos, blogging and using various social media sites I can raise awareness of these diseases as well as create a safe place where people can speak candidly about their own battles.”

How can Kati Morton help you?

Since 2011, Morton has been providing fantastic advice via video about numerous topics related to psychology and mental health. Every Monday and Thursday, she posts new videos answering questions from her growing community that fall under the category of mental health.

These videos can be a valuable tool for those with chronic pain as she addresses common issues like “What is a normal amount of anxiety?” and “Self-hatred & how to deal with it.” Morton also provides unique insight into the mind of a therapist and shows her followers how to identify good therapists, what to expect from therapy, and choosing what therapy is best for you.

The best part about Morton’s videos is how she addresses common mental health problems. She carefully breaks down each specific issue and analyzes them so that even a nonprofessional can grasp the concept. She does this in a positive and approachable way that turns an ominous topic into something easy to understand. She also provides feedback on why these problems are occurring, as well as expert advice on how to combat mental health issues.

Morton is also energetic and a joy to watch. Her personality is engaging and it is very obvious that she is not only highly-trained, but does significant research on every subject she touches on.

Morton nurtures her community by providing a judgment-free place where people struggling with mental health issues can go and share their experiences without fear of being shamed or belittled. When she shares knowledge, she does it so that everyone can understand mental health a little better in order to continue to spread knowledge and help others. Morton also focuses a lot on mental maintenance rather than just treatment after the fact. To see this first hand, take a look at her videos on positive self-talk and self-care.

These are all reasons why Kati Morton is a vlogger we love.

Where can you find Kati Morton?

Kati has built her community network on a ton of different social media sites. This is the main way she interacts with her fans and answers questions that you see in her videos. If you are interested in getting involved you should check out and be a part of her growing group.

• She has her own website. Here you can join her forums and see all of the non-video advice she has given her followers. She also has her videos posted here and you can sort and search for videos by the various mental conditions you are interested in. Don’t be afraid to jump in and join the crowd as her forum is exceptionally warm, thoughtful, and always happy to help.
• Kati also posts inspirational pics and quotes as well as answers questions on Tumblr, anonymously and not. If you are looking for some sound advice or just need a laugh, be sure to check it out.
• Kati is also on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Mental health is a long journey of self-discovery and treatment. There is no magic bullet or cure-all that can fix your problems. Kati Morton’s insight provides a unique perspective into the mental health field and it is why she is a vlogger we love.

For a deeper dive into mental health issues, take a look at the resources at the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

We all have had high stress and anxiety days and sometimes weeks at a time. This can come from happy events like pre-wedding jitters or job-related activities like prepping for a career-changing meeting. Did you know, however, that it was found in a 2012 survey that 66% of people feel similar stress levels from losing their phone? This new trend called “nomophobia” and is related to the question: Is cell phone addiction real? Nomophobia is being seen more and more across the world and has shown significant growth since a 2008 study showed that only 53% of people had this fear.

Is cell phone addiction real? 

Nomophobia, short for no-mobile-phone-phobia, is the fear of being without a mobile device, or more specifically, out of mobile contact. Simply put, it is a word for cell phone addiction. Currently, it isn’t listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, although there is talk of adding it to the next edition. Why can misplacing a cell phone lead to high anxiety, panic attacks, and distress in a person?

A prime factor can be contributed to how much dependency the average person has on their smart device. It is used for scheduling, organizing our lives, information gathering, staying in contact with loved ones, and much more. It is unsurprising that losing such a valuable tool would be a stressor. It is also believed that the major drivers for nomophobia are boredom, loneliness, and insecurity.

A recent study actually found that high engagement with a cell phone and the internet is linked with anxiety and depression as well as using devices as an emotional coping mechanism. The same research, however, did find that using your phone to alleviate boredom did not negatively contribute to anxiety and depression.

Nomophobia is a modern phenomenon that has only come about within the last decade because of the massive expansion and penetration of smartphones in the global market. Smartphones have become so necessary and ubiquitous, it is hard to tell if you are addicted unless you take the time to find out.

Do you have cell phone addiction and how bad is it?

Scientists from Iowa State University have come up with a “Nomophobia Questionnaire” to help measure and evaluate a participant’s nomophobia severity. It uses a 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) scale to quantify this condition. The scale was developed by interviewing grad students and ascertaining their thoughts about their cell phones. There are 20 questions on the survey that were created using this data and they can be surprisingly revealing.

For example:

• If I could not use my smartphone, I would be afraid of getting stranded somewhere.
• I would be worried because my family and/or friends could not reach me.
• I would feel anxious because I could not check my email messages.
• I would feel nervous because I would not be able to receive text messages and calls.

The researchers from this study analyzed this data and found that there are four key components that make up nomophobia:

1. Poor or lack of communication with people
2. Loss of connectedness
3. Inability to retrieve information instantly
4. Loss of convenience

As a word of caution, this study is very new and there has not been a lot of research yet on all of the effects of nomophobia. So while there are negative side effects of heavy cell phone use, it is not yet proven that every aspect is a problem nor has there been an in-depth study on the benefits.

Now that we have touched on what nomophobia is and how it can be evaluated, why is it such a problem?

What are the consequences of cell phone addiction?

There are numerous side effects that can be observed from constant cell phone use. These can range from physical issues to mental health problems that can lead to chronic pain. Let’s visit each in turn.

The physical

Texting neck occurs when the neck is repetitively strained and is frequently caused by hunching over a smartphone. This can cause major pain to your neck, shoulders, and upper back in general. Robert Bolash, MD, a pain specialist at Cleveland Clinic notes:

“Neck muscles, in their proper position, are designed to support the weight of your head, about 10 to 12 pounds. Research shows that for every inch you drop your head forward, you double the load on those muscles. Looking down at your smartphone, with your chin to your chest, can put about 60 pounds of force on your neck.”

That is quite a lot of extra pressure on your spine and, on average, a person spends 700 – 1,400 hours a year in this position!

The mental

There have also been numerous studies that link bad posture (aka hunching over a cell phone) to other neurological conditions such as headaches and depression. There is also evidence that people who lose their phone can suffer from withdrawal. Finally, if you are still wondering is cell phone addiction real, a survey done by TeleNav, Inc. should provide a pretty strong case. This study found out some startling facts, such as one-third of participants would be more willing to give up a sex for a week than their smartphones. If that isn’t bad enough, one in five said they would rather go shoeless than phoneless for an entire week!

Tips and tricks to avoid the pain

Here are some quick ways to help fight the physical and mental pain that excessive cell phone use can bring:

• Try to look at your phone in the neutral spine position. Hold your phone up or only move your eyes down. If you need help, there is even an app called Text Neck that could be just the thing you need.
• Work on your overall posture. It will help with text neck and provides a host of other benefits.
• Stretch more. Take five minutes a day to work out your neck with easy exercises or go to your nearest yoga studio.
• Put the phone down. Avoid the issues all together by ditching your phone for a few hours. Taking time to go out and connect instead of staring at your phone will have loads of positive effects.

What do you think — is cell phone addiction real? What are your experiences with cell phone addiction and the pain it causes?

From stress to depression and beyond, some type of mental health issue affects millions of people in the U.S. Even those without a clinical disorder often face occasional anxiety or bouts of sadness they may not know how to handle.

For people living with chronic pain, treating the mind is just as important as treating the body. That’s because alleviating stress or sadness has the potential to reduce pain in some circumstances, even without taking medication or undergoing a medical procedure. In some cases, pain experienced in the body is a direct result of an emotional disturbance.

The link between physical and mental health is intricate and strong.

We dedicated April to exploring this interaction on Inside Pain. To kick the month off, we explored the nature of anxiety, the many forms it takes, its potential causes, and how it may worsen or otherwise affect a person’s experience of chronic pain. Hint: research shows the connection is powerful. Read What Is Anxiety? to learn more.

After exploring the roots of anxiety and how it manifests in the body, we talked about ways of treating this common mental health condition. The article 6 Treatments For Anxiety reveals ways to dissolve tension that range from the simple to more intensive. Many of the treatments included can be used right now so you can start feeling better immediately.

Later in the month, we dove into more detail about the deeply connected relationship between mental health conditions and pain. In the article, you’ll read about one doctor’s controversial take about the emotional source of lower back pain and discover the insidious way depression affects pre-existing physical conditions. At Arizona Pain, we don’t like to leave you hanging without solutions, so you’ll also learn ways to mitigate the risks so you can feel better and live your best life.

Chronic stress is another problem affecting a huge percentage of U.S adults and teens, and research continues to reveal just how harmful this mental state is to physical health. In How Does Chronic Stress Impact Health?, you’ll read how this natural response to outside stimuli can go awry and impact nearly every system in the body.

Which is worse for you: A high-fat, high-sugar diet or stress? Read this article and find out.

Now that we’ve got you stressed about stress, don’t miss 6 Healthy Ways To Respond To Work Stress. This post gives you easy ways to reduce tension by incorporating simple lifestyle changes and adopting new viewpoints to put things back into perspective. Ahhh. Doesn’t that feel good?

Now that you’ve learned to manage work stress, don’t miss 3 Mindful Practices To Dissolve Stress and Promote Happiness, the ultimate guide for learning how to live in the moment and leave tension behind. You’ll learn about a few ancient practices that continue to thrive, attracting thousands of new students every year who are searching for greater peace.

Researchers also say that spending time in nature is an excellent way to reduce stress and promote mindfulness.

April is a perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors because Earth Day is this month!

In Find Your Center On Earth Day, you’ll learn about the history of the day that started an entire movement and find easy ways to celebrate the planet.

Once you’ve gotten your nature fix, you may be feeling ready to step outside your comfort zone. Those feeling a little adventurous and ready to take stress reduction to the next level won’t want to miss 5 Fun, Unconventional Therapies For Emotional Healing.

This article highlights some out-of-the-box ways to release long-held tension. Whether you’ve tried the more conventional ways and found they didn’t work or are just looking for a fun experiment, you’re bound to find new ways to venture further on the path towards tranquility.

Those readers who may be enduring tough times may be interested to read about a special tool psychologists have long used to gauge how likely a person is to experience a stress-related health event. Now you can use this same tool to measure your own risk. The Holmes Rahe Stress Scale gives numerical values to major life events. Add up the points and measure your health risks.

Those high at risk may want to pay extra special attention to this month’s articles about mindfulness and stress reduction because you have the power to influence how you respond to stress. Reduce stress and improve your health.

Mindfulness practices become more effective with practice. Start today and lower your risk for stress-related health problems.

Anxiety and stress may have reached epidemic proportions as people nationwide struggle with juggling work or school, family obligations, financial worries, or other life tribulations. Meanwhile, people with serious mental health illnesses are also struggling to live their lives, but without the extra support they need. Unfortunately, many people with psychiatric illnesses end up incarcerated.

The prisons have essentially become the country’s mental hospitals, some experts say, but the guards aren’t equipped to handle the needs of the mentally ill. Learn more by reading Behind Bars: The Mental Health Crisis In Prison.

Another disparity present in modern day health care is the availability of care for minorities and special populations. April is National Minority Health Month, a campaign that seeks to raise awareness about shortfalls in care for some of the most at-risk populations and promote ways to promote appropriate care for all. In this article, you’ll learn about the main initiatives happening in April and read about some of the surprising cultural differences keeping doctors on their toes as they try to better serve patients of all ethnicities.

Arizona Pain is dedicated to serving people of all colors, races, and shapes. We strive every day to improve medical care in our corner of the world. With that in mind, we recently opened a downtown Phoenix office catering to the Hispanic community, where Latino patients will find Spanish-speaking doctors who are well-versed in the community’s cultural nuances that affect quality of care.

Meanwhile, rural Arizona faces a critical doctor shortage, and we’re happy to have opened two offices in the northern part of the state. Read about those happenings and Arizona Pain’s latest research news in this month’s post.

If you’re interested in reading more about the state’s ongoing doctor shortage and how it could impact you, don’t miss this month’s article, which also includes the latest medical research and technology news happening in Arizona.

What was your favorite Inside Pain article from April?

Image by NEC Corporation of America

The U.S. has the world’s highest incarceration rate, and many of those behind bars suffer from mental health issues, leading advocates to call prisons the country’s de facto mental asylums, according to a report by the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC).

The report, issued in 2014, found that while state and county correction facilities nationwide housed 356,268 people diagnosed with some type of mental illness, state mental health facilities held just 35,000.

Funding for government mental health programs took a big hit during the recession and hasn’t recovered. From 2009 to 2013, state mental health programs collectively absorbed $4.6 billion in funding cuts, according to the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.

Meanwhile, state corrections’ budgets continue to rise, with prison and jail spending absorbing increasingly larger proportions of budgets, according to the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO). According to an Association report:

“The state inmate population has grown as well (nationally), leading many states to direct more resources for prisons and incarceration, sometimes at the expense of other priorities.”

In Arizona for example, Department of Corrections spending is set to rise by $38.6 million in fiscal year 2016 while spending for universities will drop by $101.5 million and Department of Health Services funding will fall by $10.3 million, according to the state Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

Disproportionate number of mentally ill land behind bars

Estimates vary, but as many as 26% of those incarcerated have mental health disorders compared to 18% in the general population, according to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Meanwhile, as many as 60% of inmates have problems with substance abuse, which could also be considered a mental health issue, writes forensic psychologist Dean Aufderheide on the Health Affairs blog.

While some prisoners have problems like depression, others suffer from more severe disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar, Aufderheide writes. As many as 40% of people with severe mental illnesses spend some portion of their lives behind bars. He adds:

“I think we can safely say there is no doubt that our jails and prisons have become America’s major mental health facilities, a purpose for which they were never intended.”

How did jails come to house so many mentally ill?

Starting in the 1960s, states began to reduce mental health hospital funding with the idea that the mentally ill would be better served by smaller, more customized community programs. Federal funding wasn’t enough to continue funding these community programs, however, and the mentally ill were left without support, according to Aufderheide.

Those with psychiatric disorders who committed crimes were then placed in prisons, a trend that continues to today. The diminishing number of state psychiatric beds is a root cause of the burgeoning population of mentally ill in the corrections system, according to a TAC report.

The mentally ill tend to stay in jail for longer than non-ill prisoners because they post bail less frequently and, because of their psychiatric condition, tend to break prison rules, which prevents early release, according to TAC. The prolonged sentences contribute to jail overcrowding and worsen already undesirable jail conditions. TAC quotes a deputy working at a Mississippi county detention center saying:

“They howl all night long. If you’re not used to it, you end up crazy yourself.”

Jails not equipped to help mentally ill break the cycle

Research conducted at the University of Texas at Dallas found that fewer than 20% of inmates with mental illnesses were taking medication when they were incarcerated.

Once in jail, those inmates frequently go without the help they need. Although federal courts require making health services available to inmates, only those with the most severe mental illnesses typically receive needed treatment, according to research from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Inmates with mental health conditions left untreated are more likely to commit future crimes and face subsequent incarceration, says Houston Dr. Jennifer Reingle, one of the study’s authors. As many as 70% of inmates with mental health disorders are likely to re-offend, she says, adding that counseling or group therapy may help to lower recidivism rates.

Even those prisoners without preexisting mental health issues may find it difficult to cope with jail conditions, putting them at risk of developing a disorder, the Dallas study found. Researchers Dr. Nadine Connell says:

“Someone who already has risk factors or a known mental health disorder is going to be much more likely to adapt poorly (to prison). And that could include self-harm, that could include violence and aggression against others, violence and aggression against staff or other inmates, and being unable to benefit from treatment or rehabilitation options that are available.”

Advocates hope to change the dialogue surrounding the mental health crisis in jails and reframe the issue as one of public safety and health, writes Aufderheide. If people considered mental illness a chronic illness like other diseases, he says, then perhaps more effective treatment strategies and funding options could be developed.

Corrections and chronic pain

Many of the nation’s prisoners also suffer from a mix of chronic pain and substance abuse issues, making it challenging for doctors and medical providers working in corrections, according to the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.

Many inmates enter prison with opioid prescriptions. Corrections officials don’t look on this favorably because the medications can be sold to other prisoners, used for overdose, or cause addiction.

Substance abuse is a mental health issue, and also frequently occurs in conjunction with depression or more serious mood or psychiatric disorders. Officials continue to search for the best ways of handling inmates with chronic pain, but typically focus on making sure prisoners can function and complete daily tasks, even if they’re still in pain, according to the American Jail Association.

Affordable Care Act a beacon of hope

As difficult as it is for mentally ill inmates to receive treatment while incarcerated, it’s even more difficult for them to find treatment after leaving jail. The Affordable Care Act, which expands access to health insurance and medical treatment, could alleviate that problem, according to the Chicago Policy Review.

Other possible solutions include mental health courts, which sentence people with treatment instead of jail time, reports NAMI.

What are your thoughts on the high rates of incarceration for the mentally ill?

Image by Keith Allison via Flickr

Women are more likely than men to experience chronic pain, however emerging research into the gender of pain management shows that females are less likely to receive medications and may suffer more as a result. And the medications they do receive sometimes cause more harm than good.

Women are, on average, smaller than men and have a higher percentage of body fat, which means their bodies metabolize drugs differently. Although researchers believe some gender discrimination may be at play, biological disparities sometimes can and should influence how doctors prescribe drugs, scientists say.

Part of the problem is that women are underrepresented in medical research and so researchers aren’t clear of the differences among genders when drugs come onto the market. However, the medical community is increasingly aware of the issue and federal guidelines are beginning to change.

One change happened in 2013, when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended cutting doses of the popular sleep drug Ambien for women because they remained drowsier for longer periods of time than men, reports The New York Times. Women take longer to metabolize the drug, and the disparity in biochemistry affects other drugs, too.

Women and men process drugs differently, which means doses should vary by gender, researchers say.

For example, men and women react differently to anesthesia. However, in this case, women need more than men. This complicates the gender of pain management issue because women do not automatically need smaller dosages of every drug; it depends on the type of drug, according to The New York Times.

Because chronic pain affects 100 million people in the U.S., a large number of them women, the issue is critically important. And unfortunately, women’s concerns of pain are often overlooked, according to a research review conducted by the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

ASA Dr. Donna-Ann Thomas says:

“I can’t tell you the number of women I see who have been told they just have to live with the pain…It’s just heart breaking because many of these women have been suffering a long time. Women, especially older women are less likely to speak up and seek treatment for their pain.”

Researchers say the types of pain women needlessly suffer from include back pain and pain resulting from breast cancer surgery, which ASA says sometimes compares to phantom limb pain resulting from an amputation.

Doctors are often unaware of the different ways men and women experience pain, but the gender of pain management is a hot area of research.

ASA’s review of studies revealed that while women sometimes receive opioids, the drugs are frequently prescribed incorrectly and end up causing more harm than good. Proper use of anesthesia is also critically important during breast cancer surgery and can impact how well a woman recovers.

Some of the optimal ways of using anesthesia are not commonly used today. For example, ASA’s review showed the best anesthesia for breast cancer surgery is actually regional numbing combined with a nerve block injection, and not general anesthesia.

For other types of pain conditions, doctors are not aware of the array of effective alternatives to painkillers, researchers say. For example, music has been found to ease labor pains, yoga has been found to be a helpful tool in the fight against back pain, and rose oil reportedly helps relieve menstrual pain.

Researchers emphasized the importance of visiting a doctor who specializes in pain treatments since general practitioners may not have knowledge of alternative methods.

The potential damage from misusing pain medications is becoming more apparent every day. The ASA review found one in seven pregnant women are prescribed opioids for pain, a practice that may harm the unborn baby. Another ASA study revealed that opioid use has caused a growing addiction problem among pregnant women.

The number of opioid-dependent pregnant women has skyrocketed 127% in the last 14 years, leading to an increase in rates for maternal death and stillbirths.

Women taking opioids while pregnant were also more likely to deliver by cesarean and stay in the hospital longer, according to ASA. Study author Dr. Lisa Leffert says:

“Our study shows that these patients are at very high risk for developing complications. Given the rapid rise in opioid abuse and dependence in these patients, there is an urgent need to understand the link with bad outcomes and to develop interventions to prevent them.”

Women in pain are also more likely than men to be diagnosed with mental illness.

Beyond medicinal disparities in the gender of pain management, there’s a significant psychological component. Doctors are more likely to dismiss pain reported by females as having an emotional source, reports The New York Times. Because doctors are less likely to take women’s reports seriously, women are less likely to receive appropriate pain treatment.

And while women’s pain may continue unabated, they may receive wrongful primary diagnoses such as depression, which, the Times reports, could lead to treatment for mental health conditions that don’t exist.

Conditions like fibromyalgia are a good example of the tendency among medical professionals to dismiss women’s complaints of pain. Although awareness about fibromyalgia has grown, for a long time women reporting the condition’s vague symptoms were thought to be making them up.

As late as 2008, when the first drug for fibromyalgia appeared on the market, some doctors said they didn’t believe the disease existed, reports the The New York Times. The article says:

“(Some doctors say) diagnosing the condition actually worsens suffering by causing patients to obsess over aches that other people simply tolerate.”

Fast forward about seven years, and now doctors may assign the fibromyalgia label to anyone experiencing pain that doesn’t fit into simple diagnostic criteria, writes pain advocate and author Laurie Edwards.

Edwards suffered from strange symptoms throughout her life, which she says were often dismissed by doctors as the result of anxiety and other emotions. Then at 23, Edwards was diagnosed with a rare lung disorder. Finally, her lifelong troubles were vindicated by a diagnosis.

But many other women continue to fall outside the neat confines of a diagnosis, leaving them searching for answers in a medical system that often fails them, Edwards says.

What are your experiences about disparities in the gender of pain management?

Image by Pedro Ribeiro Simoes via Flickr

Researchers have for many years understood the physical benefits bestowed by a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Now, the impact diet has on mental health is coming into focus with an increasing amount of research linking the two.

The foods you eat feed the body as well as the brain, with healthy foods reducing the risk for depression and other mood disorders.

This way of thinking represents a marked departure for modern day doctors, with scientists previously reluctant to connect the mind and body in such a powerful way.

However, researchers can no longer ignore the data, although they’re still working to understand just how food affects mood. For example, a study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found people who frequently ate processed foods suffered from higher rates of mental illness, including depression and anxiety. 

Spanish scientists found eating fast food increases the risk of developing depression by 51%.

Part of the reason could lie in the stomach — what some scientists call the “second brain”. Key mood neurotransmitters including serotonin are found in the intestines as well as the brain. And, early in life, stomach bacteria heavily influence serotonin levels in the brain, found researchers at Ireland’s University College Cork.

If you’d like to improve your diet to lift your mood, try focusing on unprocessed foods. Filling your plate with whole grains, leafy greens, lean meats, or fish could unlock a host of mental health benefits.

While most whole foods support mental health, some offer particularly potent mood-improving benefits.

Spinach

This leafy green is rich in folate, a nutrient that supports human growth and development. People who are depressed frequently exhibit folate deficiencies. Eating spinach and other leafy greens helps ensure healthy levels of this important nutrient.

Fish

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon, tuna, and other fatty fish have been shown to protect mental health. Research published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found eating a diet rich in omega-3s staved off psychosis in high-risk individuals. French researchers also found fish oil supplements benefited patients experiencing major depression.

Olive oil

Cooking with olive oil does more than reduce the risk of heart disease. It also protects against depression, Spanish researchers found.

Have you experienced a connection between healthy food and happiness? 

Image by NatalieMaynor via Flickr