Mindset

Psychology4Pain involves individual or small group interventions incorporating pain management principles of acceptance, commitment, and cognitive-behavioural therapies to assist development of one's emotions, behaviours and attitudes towards pain.

Thoughts:

Intrusive memories and images of the event
I can’t hope
I don’t want to think about it, too distressing
The world is an unsafe place
How / why did this happen?
What if it happens again?
I nearly died
Thoughts of not wanting to live

Behaviours:

Avoiding people, places, objects that remind you of the trauma
Not able to go to work
Withdraw from people
Increased drinking or drug use
Gambling to escape reality
Disrupted sleep patterns
Self-harm
Constantly on the lookout for danger

Feelings:

Anxiousness and fear
Depression and sadness
Anger
Guilt
Shame
Disconnected
Numb – feel nothing at all

Physical:

Tired and fatigued
Restless and can’t relax
Heart racing
Sweating
Panic attacks

When to get help?

If these feelings persist for several weeks or more after the event and you feel stuck with constant anxiety and a sense of pending danger, you may be suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and it is highly recommended that you visit your GP and seek a referral to an experienced trauma counsellor.

Treatment for same includes:

Emotional support and self-care skills
Problem-solving around immediate issues e.g., living arrangements, return to work, relationship issues
Psycho-education on trauma and its effects on the brain and body
Relaxation and coping skills to manage feelings of anxiousness
Skills to manage the reliving of the trauma through nightmares and flashbacks
Processing thoughts, feelings and the meaning of the trauma
Connecting with supports and asking for help if needed
Sometimes, but not always, talking through the traumatic event as it happened.
Facing your fears and places avoided with the support of your therapist

The following short video clip was develped by the GP Access and the Hunter Integrated Pain Service NSW to help simplify pain management education for those individuals suffering from persistent pain and their relevant support networks.

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