Physical Health
When pain lasts for a long time, it can severely impact our quality of life, and can also affect the lives of people around us. The psychological aspect to pain can lead to various effects on our physical and mental health, including increased anxiety, depression, and stress.
What is Chronic pain?
Acute or Chronic pain is a continuous pain that can last months or even years. This is in contrast to pain we experience through more common everyday injuries such as a sprained ankle while running or a minor cut on our finger when cooking – the pain usually lasts only for a short-term period.
Chronic pain and mental health
There is a distinguished link between physical pain and mental health. People living with chronic pain are much more likely to develop mood and anxiety disorders, they tend to be stuck in a vicious cycle of emotional distress and physical pain through experiencing pain repeatedly that affects their mood and mindset which amplifies the way they perceive pain. However, there are treatments to break this vicious cycle and regain better wellbeing.
Persistent chronic pain can make you feel depressed and hopeless, excessively worrying and feeling anxious as you ruminate over your condition which can then aggravate the pain you’re experiencing. People with chronic pain can experience fear and worries of pain flareups in public or feel too exhausted or irritable to leave the house, which can lead to isolation and develop into depression that will only make the chronic pain worse.
If chronic pain is affecting yours or a loved one’s ability to work or participate with home life, they may be experiencing feelings of low self-worth or even shame. The person with chronic pain is likely to be feeling misunderstood, rejected, or left out of activities. This combined with the discomfort of sleep problems can make it increasingly difficult to imagine a future where pain doesn’t hold you back. All of this creates psychological distress, feeding the physical pain.
A person who suffers from Chronic pain will have many of these symptoms:
- Recurs for more than 3 months
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood problems
- Inflammation
- Muscle tension
- Sleep problems
What is ME/CFS?
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS, is a serious long-term condition that affects various body functions. The affects can cause extreme tiredness and a range of other symptoms that have a negative impact on people carrying out their daily life activities.
This complex neuroimmune disease can affect people of all ages including children.
A person who suffers from ME/CFS will have many of these symptoms:
- Severe persistent fatigue
- Muscular and joint pains
- Sleep problems
- Difficulties concentrating or focusing
- Feeling disorientated at times
- Loss of enjoyment and pleasure
- Depression
- The fatigue is unrelated to overexertion or weakness of muscles
- Flu-like symptoms
- Brain fog
- Headaches
What is Long Covid?
Long Covid is the condition used to describe the range of health issues people can face after being infected with the Coronavirus. Although there Is no official test to diagnose Long Covid, it is suggested that 1 in 13 adults experience Long Covid symptoms after the initial infection of Coronavirus. It is not unusual to face some residual, acute issues after recovering from the virus, however, if these symptoms are persisting after 30 days after recovery, then these are considered symptoms of Long Covid. It is unknown how long the symptoms of Long Covid can last.
Many people report that they experience symptoms for three months after recovering from the initial infection, others have reported up to six months and it can potentially last up to nine months. As time goes on, more studies are conducted in this area and we will gradually learn more about the virus and its effects.
A person who suffers from long covid will have many of these symptoms:
The most common symptoms of Long Covid are:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Brain fog
Other less common symptoms are:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Chest Pain
- Muscle Aches
- Fever
- Loss of the sense of smell or taste
Treatment for Physical Health Conditions
All clinicians at Oxford CBT practice Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or are Psychologists, providing evidence-based interventions and support for Long Covid and a range of other Physical Health conditions for both young people and adults. If you would like to book an appointment you can do so on our online booking portal. If you would like more information, please visit our FAQ’s page or get in touch via our online contact form or call us on 01865 920077.
NICE guidelines recommend a course of treatment typically consists of 12–16 sessions.
Clinicians who specialize in treating Physical Health conditions
Take a self-assessment Screening
Complete screening questionnaire and we will connect you with a therapist according to your needs and requirement criteria.
