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Here is a particularly interesting question I recently received.

A client writes, "About a year ago I was involved in an automobile accident which totaled my car and changed my life. My injuries were considered minor, I broke a few teeth and suffered a whiplash injury to my neck, but now my life is dominated by the pain which has never subsided. I've been to Neurologists, Chiropractors, Orthopedic Surgeons, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Psychiatrists and nothing helps. My doctor tells me that I'll have to learn to live with the pain and assures me that there is nothing wrong with me except for some "soft tissue damage". My family tells me that I am depressed and urged me to go to a Psychiatrist. They all wanted to give me pills. I am afraid of getting hooked on their pills and I don't think that I'm depressed. I'm just in pain and if I could get rid of this pain I'm sure that I'll be okay. I feel like I don't even know who I am anymore. I used to be such an up and active person now I just want to withdraw and hide from the pain, but it is always with me. Help!"

Dr. Rutner what do you think is wrong with me, am I crazy, what should I do? ....Hurting

Dr. Rutner's opinion:

You're not crazy you are suffering and you are in pain. You appear to be suffering from a condition known as Chronic Pain Syndrome.

When you have pain for more than 3 months, it is no longer just pain. It is pain, anxiety, worry, fear, anger, muscle fatigue and depression. It is no longer just pain. It is suffering!

Suffering changes a person. It changes the person and it changes the family with whom the person lives. Pain is the unwelcome addition to the family and it dominates the activities of both the sufferer and the family.

This type of pain, this suffering is called Chronic Pain Syndrome. Chronic Pain Syndrome means that pain and depression become so intertwined that the sufferer is no longer able to separate them and they begin to feed off and to activate each other. The pain brings on depression and the depression increases the pain, until the individual can no longer experience any feeling other than pain. He no longer feels depressed. He feels pain. He no longer experiences pleasure, he feels pain. He no longer gets angry, he feels pain. Any emotional experience registers as pain. The sufferer no longer feels, he just hurts. Chronic Pain = Suffering = Misery. All emotion = Pain.

This condition needs to be treated by a professional experienced in the treatment of Chronic Pain Syndrome. Most large hospitals have a Pain Clinic in which Doctors and Psychologists work together in treating this condition. Often the Doctor will prescribe anti-depressant medication or do nerve blocks to help break the pain cycle. The Psychologist may use Clinical Hypnosis to teach the patient to take control over the pain, and to decrease the stress response which often increases pain. Reduce the Stress and gain control over the Pain.

Why not try your hand at being the Psychologist. You be the Therapist

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