Pain Is Associated With Depression

Nancy has been having a toothache for the past 3 weeks. She went to consult a dentist to what is wrong with her tooth. Upon examination the dentist found some decay at the root of tooth and set her to remove the decayed tooth the following week.

The dentist convinced Nancy that her toothache problem would be the past issue. Nancy was happy realizing that her problem is settled. It was not the case. In that afternoon, she discovered her jaw was in pain again. Nancy could not understand why it happen.

Cases like Nancy in not uncommon for those who themselves are suffering from depression silently. According to research Depression Pain is happening more often now then it was 10 years ago. Apart from the pain that Nancy encountered, there are many other Pain Depression association such as:

• constant headache

• vague physical aches

• joint pain

• neck pain

• lower back pain

• stomach pain

• indigestion

In fact Depression and Pain are closely associated. When a patient consult a doctor regarding pain in the certain part of the body, depression pain is usually not the probable problem being suggested by the doctor. The doctor might misdiagnose it with some other unrelated problem. In the event the doctor could not point out the problem, they will just prescribe pain killer to subside the matter. But that is not going to help the depressed patients at all.

What the doctor must know is to ask the right question. Depressed patients do have a string of abnormalities. And it is through the questions and answers that the doctor will be able to shortlist the pain as due to depression pain.

The few questions that are related to depression pain Doctors should ask:

• How was your mood in the last one month compare to the last 6 months?

• Do you enjoy your hobbies like what you used to be?

• Can you sleep soundly at night?

• Have you been maintaining your weight?

• Do you feel happy?

• Do you feel appreciative of what your family and friend have done for you?

• What is your concentration level now compare to a year ago?

A depressed person will give a clue that he is depressed when the answer show depressing. These questions are very powerful to confirm the status of the person who is going through a hard time. Depression is not a personal weakness but it is an illness afflicting the mental that requires urgent attention.

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