When Pain +
Stress = Depression
It’s been shown that ongoing pain
can lead to depression. Add stress (as has happened during Covid-19) and life can become very miserable. Bloemfontein-based
psychiatrist, Dr. Fanie Meyer, warns that when this happens and is not treated, BDFN or Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor become blocked, and the
brain literally begins to shrink.
Is this is reversible?
Depression and Covid-19 are friends.
Even Pollyanna’s and the most resilient optimists are beginning to wilt under
the pressure of non-pharmaceutical interventions (wearing a mask, hand washing, and social distancing), job losses and economic meltdown. Add stress hormones,
and these can block proteins that help the brain to grow and develop new connections
that feed nerve cells to the brain and spinal cord. This is BDFN.
Living with pain can begin with unresolved physical and emotional childhood traumas. Over the years, these can become
exaggerated, especially when they’re ignored or treatment is unsuccessful. Pain
issues can resurface when there’s unresolved stress. Pain also goes hand-in-hand
with surgery and even the aftermath of childbirth. It can begin with work and
sport-related overuse of joints and muscles. Pain is associated with many chronic
illnesses like fibromyalgia and is the trophy of old age.
As if pain, stress and depression
are not enough to deal with, other problems like sleep issues (too much or too
little), nausea and appetite changes leading to weight gain or loss, compromised
immunity – which means getting sick more often – IBS or irritable bowel
syndrome (constipation and diarrhea) and brain dysfunction – forgetfulness and memory loss – are often added to the mix.
The good news is that there IS something you can do about this.
How to get started:
Pain and depression:
· See a doctor. You are likely to be prescribed
antidepressants, and other medications for annoying discomforts like
constipation or insomnia
· Be patient because it takes at least three
months before you will see results
· Keep a pain-score-chart to monitor pain levels, grading
1 for minimal pain to 10 for severe pain. This will help to monitor your
progress.
Manage your stress:
·
Only use social media platforms and information you
can trust
·
Find your ‘power-person’ or mentor
·
Get help from an occupational therapist/pastor/psychologist/reflexologist and other complementary interventions like yoga,
hypnosis or acupuncture
·
Don’t neglect yourself – when you look good you
feel great
·
Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night
·
Never underestimate the power of prayer and
meditation.
Improve your BDNF levels by:
Eating healthy, avoiding synthetic sugar and taking
Omega 3 supplements
Have a daily routine: make sure you’re eating, sleeping, working and giving yourself
time off regularly throughout the day
Spend time outdoors in the sunshine
Listen to music
Use heat and Panado to keep your pain under
control
Take all medications as prescribed
Stimulate your brain cells – playing cards,
sudoku, crosswords, scrabble, quizzes, reading and writing
Make time for your children, family and friends.
