Our Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic psychologist explains how mental health matters when managing pain.
While many think that my role as a psychologist in working with pain is to focus on the relationship with pain and mental health, I see it as much broader than this given that a bio-physical model of chronic pain is rarely the whole picture.
Eighty per cent of women presenting with pelvic pain at our clinic have a component of neuroplastic pain, so even if endometriosis is found, there is some amplification of the pain, and if no endometriosis is found, then the body is most likely misinterpreting safe sensations as dangerous.
What amplifies or misinterprets the signals that come from our body are a combination of our beliefs, emotions and expectations, which are
essentially part of our nervous system.
At the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic, I aim to help people better understand what pain is, and what factors in their lives may have or be contributing to their pain, other than biological causes.
This could include childhood experiences, traumatic events or cultural expectations. We know ongoing stress can also be a significant driver of pain. The fear of pain can also be an ongoing driver of pain. In the same way that the fear of anxiety/panic can be an ongoing driver of panic.
There are simple, although not easy things, people can do to look after their nervous system, including improving sleep, adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, exercise/activity, relaxation and pleasurable activities.
Having an awareness of thoughts and feelings can help people better manage those thoughts and feelings, as can having knowledge of what can
sooth the nervous system, which includes music, touch, and movement.
It is possible to change the relationship participants have with their pain and recognise that it’s just their body trying to keep them safe.
Taking a more mindful approach to pain, rather than fighting it, helps sensations to become less dangerous, and allows people to more often
recognise: I’m sore, but I’m safe.
Of course, changing someone’s relationship with their pain doesn’t happen overnight, but women can be empowered to better manage their
pain with knowledgeable and empathic support.
In order to validate women’s pain, a biological cause is not required, they just need to be heard and understood.