International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access

Abstract

Recognizing and Treating Co-Morbid Pain and Depression

Craig H Lichtblau*, Christopher Warburton, Gabrielle Meli and Allyson Gorman

Chronic pain and depression have a reciprocal relationship where each one increases the risk for and impacts the experience of the other. Because these conditions co-occur at a high rate, with depression often going unrecognized, more focus on diagnosing and treating the entire constellation of symptoms that pain and depression patients experience is warranted. The shared neural mechanisms of chronic pain and depression offer opportunities for treatment, though evidence suggests that the most effective and long-lasting treatments will combine pharmacological interventions and psychotherapy. There will likely not be a one-size-fits-all treatment approach for comorbid pain and depression patients, but clinicians should base their recommendations on clinical evaluations of patients that assess both pain and depression.

Published Date: 2021-08-25; Received Date: 2021-08-04