I believe anxiety and pain are connected. I think so, and I’m not the only one who does. I, unfortunately, have been experiencing this pain-anxiety link for months now.

Pain, Anxiety and Bipolar Disorder

As I’ve talked about many times before, bipolar disorder includes physical pain as well as all the standard variations of psychic pain that we experience. And people with bipolar disorder are also known to experience high levels of anxiety. It appears that those with anxiety and bipolar disorder have worse depression symptoms.

It also appears that those with high levels of anxiety may experience higher levels of physical pain, too. It’s a one-two-three punch. Have bipolar, get anxiety, worsened depression and worsened pain. It’s the worst of all worlds. Yay.

It also seems that the relationships work the other way: those with more pain also have more anxiety and depression symptoms.

And while I’m only one person, I’m a person that thinks that anxiety and pain are inexorably linked.

My Experience with the Pain and Anxiety Connection

I’ve talked before about how much pain I experience on a daily basis. This may or may not be entirely related to bipolar disorder (the thought is I may have a chronic pain condition as well). Regardless, I have found that when anxiety increases, pain increases and when pain increases, anxiety increases. I might just start calling it “anxiety pain” or “pain anxiety” depending on which one is worse at the time.

Part of pain anxiety, I think is the worry that the pain will get worse. So, for example, if my pain level is at a six (out of 10) then I might experience additional anxiety worrying that my pain will soon be worse. I think this worrying is normal as no one wants their pain to get worse. This worrying, though, tends to actually worsen that pain — the thing I was worried about in the first place. So it’s a catch-22 — worry about worsening pain and you will actually experience worsening pain. And surely if you pain deepens, then your anxiety deepens too. It’s a vicious cycle.

The Good News About the Connection Between Pain and Anxiety

Pain and anxiety are linked. You worsen the pain, you worsen the anxiety and visa versa. But how do you stop the pain-anxiety cycle?The thing I have found about the connection between pain and anxiety is that when you treat one, the other gets better too. It’s like if I can lessen my pain, I can breathe again. Similarly, if I can just calm myself, the pain doesn’t feel quite as bad. So while one can worsen the other, one can also make the other better too.

Treating Pain and Anxiety

Of course, as with all things mental illness, this is easier said than done. Here are some things I have found that lessen the pain-anxiety cycle:

  • Avoid things that will increase your anxiety, like drinking coffee — this will help with pain (seriously, if you have pain and anxiety and haven’t tried cutting down on/getting rid of caffeine, you need to)
  • Avoid things that will increase your pain, like too much physical exertion — this will help with anxiety
  • Try light exercise to build up your body — maybe swimming because it’s a no-impact activity
  • Use anti-anxiety tools like mindfulness to help with the anxiety and pain
  • Use thought-stopping/swapping techniques to stop focusing on the anxiety and pain (literally, say “stop” to the thoughts of pain and anxiety and then start thinking about a predetermined, safe thought that quells anxiety and pain)
  • Use medication for anxiety or pain to lessen the anxiety and pain
  • Take care of yourself physically to lessen pain which will help with anxiety

And, of course, the biggest thing I can say is to talk to your doctor. You may need to talk to both a general practitioner as well as your psychiatrist because you may need a referral to a pain specialist. Pain is no joke. And seeing as pain can make all your symptoms worse, it’s worth taking it seriously and getting it treated as treating your pain might improve your bipolar symptoms too. And don’t listen to doctors who want to write you off just because you have bipolar disorder. Remember, you deserve to live with as little pain as possible so keep seeking treatment until you find what works.

Image by Alpha Stock Images.