Psychology plays a major role in pain management through techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation therapy, and guided imagery. Cognitive behavioral therapy uses treatment rationales, coping skills like relaxation, activity pacing, and cognitive restructuring to help patients manage pain. Relaxation therapy creates measurable physiological changes that lead to feelings of calmness. Guided imagery involves imagining relaxing scenarios to lower pain and suffering. The overall goal of pain psychology is to help patients feel better, conquer pain, and lead a quality life.

1. Pain Management PsychologyJOHNSEY THOMAS Consultant Clinical Psychologist

2. Pain Management Psychology

7. DefiningPainAn unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage.”International Association for the Study of Pain 1979

8. Mind-Body- Soul HealingAlmost everything deals with mind-body issues, but it would be rational to say that a principal focus is self change and ways that Psychology can help with this…

9. Mind-Body- Soul HealingPsychology can help with this, especially with regard to enabling greater happiness and better health. It helps to believe", Mind over matter" and "all in the mind" look at the role of thinking processes in self-healing.

10. Key ConceptsMost people think of pain as resulting from physical injury or disease, but psychological factors play a huge role in pain perception. Pain is intimately tied to brain functions that govern behavior and decision making, including expectation, attention and learning.

11. Psychology plays a major role in Pain Management

12. My doctor recommended I should see a psychologist for Pain Management.

13. Why would I see a psychologist? This pain is not in my head and I am not crazy!

14. No it unlikely to be in your head - the pain is most likely very real. However there are many psychological techniques which have been shown to assist people in coping with chronic pain.

15. Pain Psychologists are part of the treatment team for patients suffering from chronic pain (including cancer pain) as well as other chronic conditions.

16. Recent research suggests that pain is mismanaged in up to 50% of cases. For example, irrational fears about addiction, underreporting of pain, inadequate communication between patient and doctor, lack of knowledge, etc.

17. Pain is disturbing my Life-Sleep-Work

18. Sleep as a Medicine Sleep is an essential part of our lives. It’s an opportunity for your body to repair itself, both physically (e.g., repairing muscles) and psychologically (working through anxiety).

19. I can sit at ease And relax

20. Guided imagery involves having the person with pain imagine (using all or as many as possible of their senses, not just the visual) something that contributes to relaxation, healing, or the lowering of pain and suffering.

21. This could be going to a relaxing place such as the beach or imagining what your pain looks (sounds, smells, tastes, feels) like and changing the image!

22. I have cut down my routine activity drastically

23. When pain persists over time, a person may avoid doing regular activities for fear of further injury or increased pain. This can include work, social activities, or hobbies.

24. As the individual withdraws and becomes less active, their muscles may become weaker, they may begin to gain or lose weight, and their overall physical conditioning may decline. This can contribute to the belief that one is disabled.

25. Do I need to live and suffer lifelong with pain?

26. They say, I don’t have any problem pain, but I know; what I am going through

27. I getting easily frustrated and irritated

28. Sometimes I feel Pain is demanding

29. † It feels like I've been drained of all energy and that to do just about anything will take more effort than I can summon.Not at all Very seldom Sometimes Most of the time All of the time

30. † I feel like I've lost interest in activities that were once enjoyable for me.Not at all Very seldom Sometimes Most of the time All of the time

31. † When the phone rings, I tend to ignore it even when I know it may be a good friend calling. Not at all Very seldom Sometimes Most of the time All of the time

32. † I've noticed a change in my sleeping pattern such as difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently throughout the night, or oversleeping in the morning. Not at all Very seldom/ Rarely Sometimes Most of the time All of the time

33. † It's been taking longer and has seemed harder than usual to make decisions. Not at all Very seldom Sometimes Most of the time All of the time

34. † It seems as though everything is going wrong no matter how hard I'm trying. Not at all Very seldom Sometimes Most of the time All of the time

35. † I've been turning down invitations to get together with friends because trying to socialize feels like it will take more energy than I have or because I think my "down“ mood will just depress everyone else. Not at all Very seldom Sometimes Most of the time

36. † I've been getting headaches, stomach- aches, backaches, or pains in my joints or muscles that can’t be traced to a physical illness or injury. Not at all Very seldom Sometimes Most of the time All of the time

37. † I've been feeling restless and/or irritable. Not at all Very seldom Sometimes Most of the time All of the time

38. Psychology in Managing Pain

39. … is tailored to the individual needsRelaxation Therapy

40. Cognitive Behavior Therapy

41. Cognitive Restructuring

42. Stress and Anger Management

43. Sleep Hygiene

44. Activity PacingRelaxation Therapy- is that blissful state of being at peace with oneself and with the world.It creates measurable changes in the body, such as a reduction in oxygen consumption, heart and respiratory rate, blood pressure, blood cortisol levels, and muscle tension, and an increase in the production in the brain of serotonin which leads to feelings of calmness and well-being.

45. Cognitive behavior Therapy- CBT for pain management has three basic components.treatment rationale that helps patients understand that cognitions and behavior can affect the pain experience and emphasizes the role that patients can play in controlling their own pain.

46. 2. Coping skills- Progressive relaxation and cue-controlled brief relaxation exercises are used to decrease muscle tension, reduce emotional distress, and divert attention from pain.

47. Activity pacing and pleasant activity scheduling are used to help patients increase the level and range of their activities.

48. Training in distraction techniques such as pleasant imagery, counting methods, and use of a focal point helps patients learn to divert attention away from severe pain episodes.

49. Cognitive restructuring is used to help patients identify and challenge overly negative pain-related thoughts and to replace these thoughts with more adaptive, coping thoughts.

50. The third component of CBT involves the application and maintenance of learned coping skills.

51. Problem solving methods are taught that enable to analyze and develop plans for dealing with pain flares and other challenging situations.

52. Self-monitoring and behavioral contracting methods also are used to prompt and reinforce frequent coping skills practice.

53. If sleep is disrupted for an extended period of time it can lead to the following effects:† Increased emotional distress and irritability † Increased clumsiness and poor coordination