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SEPTEMBER 2024

Why chronic pain causes fatigue and depression

Are you suffering from chronic pain? Do you feel too tired to get things done? Is not being as efficient as you like getting you down? 

Chronic pain can be a stubborn and complex condition to treat, since it can create problems beyond the obvious physical discomfort. Your Costco benefits offer a variety of programs to help you manage chronic pain (and the stress that can come with it) and get back to living your life.

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What is chronic pain?

According to the National Institutes of Health, 25.3 million U.S. adults live with chronic pain (pain that lasts three months or longer).¹ This persistent pain can result from an injury, illness, infection or medical condition such as arthritis or migraine headaches. It can range from an annoyance to a source of severe suffering.

Chronic pain and fatigue

When chronic pain persists, the discomfort can make it difficult to get restorative sleep. Pain can trigger feelings of sadness and despair, which can make getting a good night’s sleep even harder. At the same time, a lack of quality sleep can decrease your pain tolerance and intensify your experience of pain.

Chronic pain and depression

Chronic pain can make it difficult to exercise, socialize, work and enjoy even the simplest things in life. Thoughts about the pain and reduced physical activity can lead to feelings of sadness and loss.  

The stress of putting all your efforts into managing your pain while still trying to keep up with life’s demands can be stressful and deepen feelings of depression. It’s a common predicament — between one-third and three-quarters of people with chronic pain experience moderate to severe depression.

4 ways to manage the mental health effects of chronic pain

No matter the location, source or intensity of the pain, if left untreated, it’s likely to affect your ability to live a healthy, happy life. Here are some approaches you can take to reduce the fatigue and depression from chronic pain.

Get counseling.

Therapy can help you identify and change the negative thoughts and feelings that can make pain worse. Start with a program tailored to your specific needs through AbleTo*.  These no-cost eight-week programs provide one-on-one therapy, coaching and digital exercises to help you deal with the anger, frustration, depression and anxiety that can come with chronic pain. 

Participate in physical therapy.

A physical therapist will work with you to identify areas of weakness or stiffness that may be adding to the pain and treat those areas with targeted exercises. Take advantage of free virtual physical therapy through Omada for Joint & Muscle Health and work one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist in the comfort of your home to get the help you need. 

Try meditation.

Studies show that meditation can lessen pain and stress by retraining the brain to better deal with pain. Keep it simple to start out — just allow yourself to focus on the present moment, letting go of any judgement. For help, turn to Resources for Living and their library of videos and podcasts that can get you started with a meditation practice.

Cut back on unhealthy substances.

Alcohol can make sleep problems worse and increase depressive symptoms. Smoking restricts blood flow, which prevents healing. If you have chronic pain, drink less or no alcohol. Work with the Costco Tobacco Cessation Program to help you quit nicotine products for good.

These strategies can help ease your pain, promote relaxation and improve your outlook. Check out the resources below to get started. 

¹National Institutes of Health. NIH analysis shows Americans are in pain.
*Not available in Puerto Rico. 

Sources:
AbleTo. Why chronic pain causes fatigue and depression.
Mayo Clinic Health System. Pathways through persistent pain: tips for managing chronic pain.
Healthline. Meditating for chronic pain management.