depression and resultant pain sensation

[nari]

I have just watched a documentary on an Australian bloke (Oz for man) who has recovered from severe depression, present for most of his life.
He seems to be about thirty-something.
What interested me was how he described his feelings; to him it was pain.
Chronic, constant degrees of pain; and he lost the sensation of colour, as well as all the other symptoms of endogenous depression. He was told by psychiatrists to 'snap out of it'; 'it's a beautiful day, stop thinking about yourself' -sounds familiar?
What rescued him was the support of two good friends: a naturopath, another man and painting.
He is OK now, and sells his art worldwide (he paints in vivid, clear colours); he knows the depression has not really left, but he has control over it. Some medication was used, after he attempted suicide, but he credits his recovery to support and friendship. (Although it is likely the medication kick-started the appropriate enzymes).

I had not really thought of endogenous depression in the same boat as persistent pain in the spine or extremities (although depression is part of the persistent pain picture), but it does seem to be. I guess it makes sense given the biochemical theatre of the brain.

Has anyone read any papers on the topic of pain and endogenous depression?

Nari
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[Diane]

Nari, your new topic reminded me of what life was like for a year when I was 18- 19 years old (end of the 60's). I didn't have a fully grown set of frontals yet, I was a farm kid in a university trying to study physiotherapy, trying to learn to live in a city, trying to cope with everything and feeling like I was sinking. I went through the 'seeing no color' thing, for nearly a year. (You know they are there if you look, but they won't come into the eyes by themselves, they just have no impact at all.)

I dragged myself to class but the inertia to just stay in bed was huge. My PT teachers noticed, sent me to a therapist, who offered me meds, but I refused. I was able to talk freely to someone for the first time in my life about anything. I found the acceptance exhilarating and got quite better, in just a few short months; the colors came back! (Plus I think I'm genetically resilient, e.g: my mother is a cheerful person, and I was raised to be tough.) I've never allowed life to overwhelm me again and have never been back to visit the pit. Vive joie de vive!

I am however going for a weeklong refresher in anatomy dissection, one of the big triggers that bummed me out in school...I was TOO young for THAT first time through.. with no frontals to help. I can't wait to do it over again, this time with enormous appreciation for bodies after 35 years of treating them.
Diane

[nari]

Bernard

Sorry if I put it into the wrong forum.

I was thinking more of endogenous depression, which does not arise from a skeletal event, such as back pain. There are many references to chronic pain and depression, but they are more reactive depressions. What I was curious about was the fact this man experienced a depressive state without any indication of acute or chronic pains as we know them; there were no obvious AIGS or anything else, yet he had the sensation of pain - presumably in the brain where he lived..(not a headache!)

Did I explain the difference OK?


Nari

[rolf]

Hi nari!
Ofcourse its possible to get depressed with chronick pain,but why cant it be possible to get pain when you are depressed.
The last 15 years i have seen alot of depressed patients with pain.and when the depression declains /reduses so do the state of pain.
I have been talking about some of this earlier on the noi.group
anxiety,depression,fear,etc are negative emotions that are able to give somatic pain.(in my clinical experience)
Have you never experienced somatic pain due to emotions?(anger,anxiety,"stress" etc.)Many of the depressed persons arent able to get rid of their ANTs(automatic negtive thoughts) Cognitiv therapy,(learn to stop their ANTs),daily exercises,.the right nutrition,antidepression med.abdominal breathing,helps alot of them to reduse their depressoin=PAIN.Arent able to explain what might be going on in their neuromatrix.
RIN :wink: :wink: :wink: