Can PTSD cause chronic pain?
People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often experience physical symptoms, including chronic pain, that may be caused by the physical and psychological effects of trauma and stress.
How common is PTSD among people with chronic pain?
The prevalence of PTSD diagnoses among patients with chronic pain varies widely. A meta-analysis of 21 studies found that rates of PTSD among chronic pain patients ranged from 0% to 57%, with an average of 9.7%.
However, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 15% to 35% of chronic pain patients also suffer from PTSD. Therefore, the exact percentage is unknown.
Studies have also reported that this condition is more common in clinical groups (11.7%), especially in those with widespread pain (20.5%). However, it is less common in non-clinical settings (5.1%).
However, how it was measured affected the results—the prevalence was higher for self-report (20.4%) than for clinical interviews (4.5%). There are also large differences between studies, so more research is needed to understand the connection between PTSD and chronic pain.
How does PTSD affect pain?
Living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can significantly worsen chronic pain. People with both disorders often experience increased pain intensity and psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may also make chronic pain more difficult to manage, possibly due to these psychological factors. Post-traumatic stress disorder can even affect how people perceive and respond to pain, which can complicate their experience of pain.
A 2018 study examined the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic spinal pain after an accident. Participants with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced greater pain and psychological distress, and reduced body temperature detection thresholds and tolerance.
Researchers also found that when people with both PTSD and chronic pain experience more pain, it's often because they tend to catastrophize their pain (i.e., think the condition is much worse than it really is) and are afraid to move.
This supports the idea that these factors can cause people with both disorders to experience a cycle of distress and fear.
Another 2018 study found that people with chronic pain and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) had more severe pain, more pain-related disability, and higher levels of depression and anxiety than people without PTSS.
PTSS also affects the relationship of pain to other emotional and social factors in patients with chronic pain. This suggests that PTSS can make the relationship between pain and a person's feelings and social life more complex or intense.
What is the relationship between PTSD and pain threshold?
The relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and pain perception is complex and may vary depending on the nature of the traumatic event.
A 2020 review of studies found no significant differences in pain perception between people with and without PTSD.
However, changes did emerge when looking at specific trauma types. People with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) tend to have increased pain thresholds, while people with accident-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have lowered pain thresholds.
What are the common physical PTSD symptoms?
Common physical symptoms associated with PTSD include:
- Muscle tension: Many people with post-traumatic stress disorder have muscle tension, causing muscle pain or soreness.
- Pain and sensory changes: Some people experience increased pain sensitivity or decreased pain perception, as well as numbness or tingling.
- Headaches: Frequent tension headaches or migraines are common.
- Gastrointestinal problems: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Cardiovascular symptoms: Rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, and palpitations may occur.
- Dizziness and Fainting: Some people may experience feelings of dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness.
- Breathing problems: Hyperventilation and shortness of breath are associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Skin problems: Rashes, hives, or eczema may appear or worsen.
- Impaired immune function: Post-traumatic stress disorder may weaken the immune system, making people more susceptible to illness.
Treatment options for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
There are a variety of treatment options available to help you manage PTSD:
- Psychological treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and group therapy.
- Medications, including antidepressants (such as SSRIs or SNRIs) and prazosin (Minipress)
- Self-help strategies such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, exercise and following a healthy lifestyle.
- Supportive therapies such as art therapy, music therapy, and animal-assisted therapy.
- Counseling and support groups offering emotional support and coping strategies.
- Complementary and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, yoga and equine therapy are used alongside evidence-based treatments.
generalize
The relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain is complex. The prevalence of PTSD among people with chronic pain varies widely, although research does show a clear link.
Understanding the connections between these conditions is critical for effective care.
Whether you suffer from chronic pain, PTSD, or both, treating the physical and emotional aspects is key to managing symptoms and improving your overall quality of life.
