How Pain Affects the Body

Head to Toe - This Pain Has To Go!

If you are like me and deal with daily chronic pain, then you know the affects on your body. But, in reality you might not because our brain processes things differently. All we know sometimes, is that we feel or are experiencing some form of discomfort or pain. Especially when it's all-the-time, it's torture! Then, our brains have to combat ways to evolve in a sense. Our brains either let the pain rule and then we're unable to be productive (which, do we really have control over?) or we try to occupy ourselves in a way to ignore the pain (I do this all the time). The only problem I've found with this technique is that for the break-through pain (severe) when it hits, it really hits and I'm unable to do much of anything. My brain is on over-load trying to deal with the pain. I've also read that if pain is not dealt with over time, it will affect your heart.

Literally, pain affects our bodies from our head to our toes. From how our body reacts and communicates pain to the results afterward. The results can be in the form of tension pains (such as neck pain, headaches, and so forth) because the constant pain sensors trigger tension. As such, this same concept will also trigger depression. As a person who deals with depression, I can tell you first-hand that it is a vicious cycle. If I'm depressed, the more I am upset or stressed, the more the receptors are communicating and the more I experience pain. Part of the vicious cycle we face is also the ability to take care of ourselves (how we need to); this includes exercise and socializing. When a person is depressed and dealing with daily chronic pain, they have a hard enough time moving, let alone considering exercise or being around people that don't understand your struggles. Just remember, you can't judge someone if you haven't experience what they have. We're all different and experience things differently. 12 Nice Things You Can Do for Someone in Pain12 Things You Should Never Say to Someone with a Chronic Health Condition The Spoon Theory

Links

American Psychological Association - Stress Effects on the Body

Harvard Health Publications - Depression and pain

WebMD - Understanding Chronic Pain

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT

As everyone has heard by now, the beloved and comedic genius, Robin Williams has passed. This news has brought so much sadness to his fans across the world. I know for myself growing up he was this energetic and caring voice that helped us learn that even a street urchin could become a prince. He has been in so many movies through out the years and has brought us so many cherished characters. But, it just goes to show us that we can be one of the most famously hilarious individuals and still suffer inside.

Unfortunately, Robin Williams took his own life. He has suffered for years with addictions and other struggles that we know nothing about. As a person that has battled with depression and suicidal thoughts since I was 14, I could relate to this news in a profound way. Nearly two years ago now, I was in a place in my life where I felt hopeless. It's a scary place to be. Hearing details of his death had me wondering what exactly drove him to the point where he felt there was no better way.

I also struggled for years because within certain faiths suicide is considered a sin and then you are told that your soul will be punished, or whatever other nonsense. While I can understand how this has been interpreted, to help save people, I know this just isn't true. I think that it was interpreted this way so that people would "fight the good fight" and not want to leave this world because of how the world has caused such pain and suffering. I totally get it!

What I have learned is that our souls are here for a purpose. God is unconditional love, and it just doesn't make any sense that He would ever punish us for wanted to escape from our suffering here. I felt a cool sense of relief once I read this (There's More to Life Than This) and while I still battle with thoughts, I know that my soul is here for a purpose and I don't want to let God down. I certainly don't want to have to go through the battles I have gone through in this lifetime again - that's for sure!

Then again, I know, it's easier said than done. Depression is a serious illness, and if I remember correctly from my psychology classes, it's nearly 80+% of people that are afflicted with some form of depression. I am part of that percentage. I have been there, and what kept me from going through with it were the thoughts of how it would impact those that I love. Granted, it's well expected with everything I have endured through out my life. But, I know that our life's are given to us as a means to enjoy and as a gift. It is that much more saddening when people take their lives and we have the delusion that their lives are a much better means than ours, that they feel there is no other way or they are too exhausted to continue to fight with their struggles.

Since then, I have received extensive therapy. While I still have thought patterns that I have to contend with, I learned that it is and will continue to be a daily battle. As an example - someone that works out everyday, they are working their muscles to perform a certain way. Much like our brains (that are dealing with depression) we have to work at the delusional thought patterns and such, in order to flex those muscles and keep on track with training. It's a marathon, it will be a daily event for the rest of our lives. Some days will be better than others and I have learned to not beat myself up either. Just take it one day at a time... and on those bad days, reach out if you feel that there is no better way. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean there isn't something better there.

PLEASE - if you or someone you know is suffering from depression 

or suicidal thoughts or tendencies - PLEASE seek immediate help!

1-800-273-8255

15 Things You Shouldn't Say To Someone Struggling With Depression Link

D is for Delusion

Delusional Thought Patterns and How We Can Change Them

I have battled with depression since I was very young. Depression is a mood disorder that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), depression affects 1 in 10 adults in the U. S. alone. When I was hospitalized from my mood disorder, in my Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) sessions we learned about the connection between depression and delusional thought patterns. Depression can distort the way we think. My distortion was a result of how I processed information pertaining to my environment. 

Most girls growing up face some form of self image prospective and can lead into a delusional thought pattern, which could also lead into other conditions (i.e., eating disorders, self mutilation, etc.). When I was growing up my delusions started with my self-esteem. I would compare myself to other girls; friends, actresses, and models. This is a dangerous road and there is much more recognition for the manipulations involved in society and how the imagery affects girls and their mental development. For me, because I wasn't 'perfect' I didn't feel that I was anything to look at. The delusion continued until the distortion affected my brain and caused other issues, such as my social avoidance. 

A delusion is defined as a "belief held with strong conviction despite superior evidence to the contrary." It is also the "belief based on false or incomplete information, or other effects of perception." (Google search) When we believe something, it is hard to consider that what we think we know, is actually false information. Once we can accept this, we can move on and work on retraining our brain.

The activity that has worked the best for me is a version of positive thought retraining, based off of "The Glad Game" from Disney's Pollyanna. Here are some steps to work toward changing delusional thought patterns:

1.) Keep a journal. This is something that you can take to a therapist and they can read or collect the data to help you determine different thought patterns. Don't feel ashamed or threatened by what you write or showing it to a professional. Seek help! They are trained to help you through this.

2.) Write Them Out. This goes with journaling. Once you have validated the distortion, write out what you have believed. This will help your brain and initiate the retraining process. Once you have written it out - cross out the negative or distortion. Next to it (them) write one to two positive or true statements to replace the negative or delusional thoughts. To see a list of positive affirmations click here.

3.) Mental Meditations. Once you have been able to detect the delusional thought patterns then you can begin to retrain your brain to instantly acknowledge, recalculate, and execute. Acknowledge that you have the delusion. Recalculate the positive affirmation to replace previous delusion. Execute by replacing the negative thought with a positive thought, or two.

And finally - Reward Yourself - nobody every said life is easy, so when we set a goal and achieve them we need to make sure to positively reward ourselves. If you have a eating disorder (like myself, I am a comfort eater - so I can't reward myself with food - although I do sometimes) try to reward yourself with something more positive based on your needs. For example, say: if I can go two days without putting myself down, then I will get new ear buds that I have been needing.

For More Information Follow the Links Below

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention CDC Features

Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders - Delusional Disorder

Psych Central - Identifying Irrational Thoughts

Reflections Past and Future

This saying has a deeper meaning. I may not be where I was, I may not be the person I use to be, but thank God I'm moving forward. Looking back on the past decade of my life I can't help but to spiral into a deep depression. I wouldn't want anyone to walk in my shoes or to have experienced what I have. Just understand that the sanity that I hold onto every day is because of my faith in the almighty God. I'm not to question His plans, but I am to trust in Him. I do that with every breath that I take. He understands the battle that rages inside with flesh and sin. This is why Jesus died, his blood washes us clean. Not a very cleanly image - but a pure one nonetheless.

The Past

You can read in the past posts of some of the tribulations that I have lived through. First it was a traumatic child birth, then it was living through hell with Necrotizing Fasciitis, living with daily chronic pain since then, dealing with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) every day, being a primary care giver to a special needs son, nearly loosing my child, starting over and caring for a severely handicapped child, my husband leaving me, divorce, going back to college, being hospitalized numerous times, loosing my vehicle, loosing my home, and then the deepest sorrow of loosing my son. I have battled with depression since I was 14, not being correctly diagnosed until I was 35 as mood disorder. They heavily medicated me and I was able to get through. The amazing thing about the human spirit is our ability to persevere. However, loosing my son has been the hardest thing to 'get back up' again. This poem by an unknown author says it all:

The Future

So, what now? I have been working through this time, taking time to mourn for my son and through everything else as well. I use to think it was something redundant to create this New Year's Resolution, because most people forget about it or in some form end up letting themselves down; only to proclaim the same resolution the following year. But, this year my resolution is to find happiness. When I was in therapy I was told that I needed to love my inner child. So, I am going to research this. It seemed insane to me when I was first learning of this concept. I was not longer a child, how in the world was I suppose to do this. In counseling they helped me to understand what some would call my sacrificial personality; how I put others before myself. But, now is a time that I have to take for myself. I have sacrificed so much in my life, now it is my time to find happiness.

... And Beyond

So, how do we persevere? The thing with depression is that it can be debilitating. You might not want to get out of bed, your body could be pained, you might not want to participate in life, and many more symptoms. Validate your symptoms, understand that depression affects everyone differently and don't be scared or think any less of getting professional help. But, something that can help you, is to continue to live life. Right now this is a battle for me. I have a hard time engaging in life. Not only the mental anguish and pain, but the physical pain ensnares me within the depths of the darkness. It might be easier said then done, but I can contest that even just going outside for a walk can produce the chemicals in the brain that will promote those happy feelings and helps you to get out of any funk you might be going through. You are not alone, the CDC (Center for Disease and Control) projects "an estimated 1 in 10 U.S. adult(s) report depression" (cdc.gov).

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