Many people who live with chronic pain also have a mental health concern like an anxiety disorder or depression.
The mind and body are connected, and it can be harder to manage chronic pain if you’re struggling with your mental health.
Self-care can support your mental and physical well-being. But if you need additional support, reach out to a therapist or psychiatrist with experience treating people with chronic pain.
Chronic pain can make it harder to work, socialize, attend school, and function in day-to-day life.
But chronic pain isn’t just a physical experience. Research shows it can also affect someone’s mental health. A recent study found that nearly 40% of people with depression and people with anxiety disorders live with chronic pain. Learning more about this connection can help you seek well-rounded support for your mental and physical health.
How chronic pain impacts mental health
Everyone experiences physical pain once in a while. For example, you might have some discomfort after an injury, illness, or medical procedure. But in these instances, the pain typically subsides as you heal. Chronic pain is different. It can last a long time — usually over three months, and often much longer. It might be something you feel constantly, or it might come and go in waves.
The following conditions are known to cause chronic pain and may affect your mental health:
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Arthritis
This condition is characterized by inflammation in various parts of the body, usually the joints. It can lead to pain and stiffness, which can make it harder to move and do daily activities. A loss of independence may create frustration and cause someone to withdraw socially. This may be why people with arthritis are at greater risk for certain mood and anxiety disorders.
Fibromyalgia
This condition can increase a person’s sensitivity to pain. It can lead to significant fatigue and chronic pain in the bones and muscles. People with fibromyalgia are at greater risk of anxiety disorders — especially obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD rates are five times higher in women with fibromyalgia than in the general population.
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
MS is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, resulting in chronic pain. People with MS are twice as likely to experience depression as the general population. They’re also at greater risk of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), OCD, and panic disorder. This may be (in part) because MS can make it much harder to stay engaged with activities and connected to support systems.
Other sources of chronic pain
Living with migraine, back and neck pain, and menstrual pain can also affect a person’s mental health and daily functioning. Left untreated, these conditions can cause significant emotional distress, and they’re known to increase the risk of anxiety disorders and depression.
If you’re living with chronic pain and a mental health condition, support is available. Some therapists and psychiatrists even specialize in helping people navigate the emotional toll of chronic pain.
How mental health impacts pain
Our minds and bodies are interconnected. When we’re struggling with our mental health, it can be harder to maintain our physical well-being.
For example, imagine that you have severe arthritis in your knees. It’s getting harder for you to do simple things like climbing stairs or walking to the store. This has left you feeling depressed, and you begin spending more time alone. You also stop going to your doctor’s appointments and taking your arthritis medication. So, as you might expect, your knee pain begins to get worse. In this instance, addressing your mood could help you take steps to increase your mobility.
Barriers to mental health care with chronic pain
A 2024 report outlined the mental health needs of U.S. adults living with chronic pain. Researchers found that more than half people with chronic pain also have anxiety or depression.
However, those people are five times more likely than others to go without mental health treatment. This is due to barriers like:
Difficulty accessing in-person therapy or psychiatric care due to transportation or mobility issues
Lack of access to providers who understand the relationship between mental health and chronic pain
Feasibility of attending pre-scheduled appointments if a person is in severe pain
Managing mental health and chronic pain
If you’re trying to manage your mental health and chronic pain at the same time, one of the best things you can do is ask for help. In addition to working with your medical care team, consider connecting with a therapist or psychiatrist.
Therapy can help you process your experience with chronic pain, provide a safe space to release uncomfortable emotions, and help you learn valuable coping strategies. If needed, a psychiatrist can prescribe medication to help you manage symptoms of an anxiety disorder, depression, or other conditions.
While not a replacement for professional help, self-care can also go a long way in helping you maintain your mental and physical well-being. Here are some things to try:
Modify activities. With chronic pain, you might not be able to do everything you used to. But that doesn’t mean you can’t participate in activities you enjoy. Instead of forgoing them altogether, try to modify them. For example, if you love to walk but get tired easily, find a path with benches so you can take a break when you need one.
Manage stress. Stress is known to increase pain. So try to work some stress management into your daily routine. This can include activities like restorative yoga, deep breathing, journaling, or mindfulness.
Practice good sleep hygiene. Not getting enough sleep can make your pain harder to manage. You can get better rest by creating a relaxing environment, taking naps when you need one, and establishing a consistent nighttime routine.
I encourage clients to remember that pain and emotions can both be managed, even if they can’t always be eliminated. Small improvements add up, and progress often comes from consistent care, self-compassion, and patience with the process.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Clinical reviewer
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Chronic pain can take a toll on your mental health. Many people who live with chronic pain also have a co-occurring mental health concern like depression or an anxiety disorder. Practicing self-care and staying connected with your care team can help.
You may also benefit from therapy or psychiatric support. There are mental health professionals who understand the unique mental health needs of people living with chronic pain. Many offer flexible scheduling and remote appointments, so it’s easier to access the care you deserve.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Liz Talago
Liz Talago, M.ed. is a mental health professional turned content writer and strategist based in the Detroit metro area. As an independent consultant for mental health organizations, Liz creates meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through strategic storytelling. Liz is known for championing diverse perspectives within the mental health industry and translating bold ideas into inspiring, affirming digital experiences.
In her free time, you can find her hiking with her two German Shepherds, puttering around her dahlia garden, or spending time with her family.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Having faced challenges like childhood abuse, neglect, and the loss of her father to suicide, Brandy Chalmers is deeply passionate about providing compassionate care. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Brandy also teaches at a university, sharing her expertise with future mental health professionals. With over a decade of experience in settings like inpatient care and private practice, she specializes in helping clients with perfectionism, trauma, personality disorders, eating disorders, and life changes.
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Rula's editorial team is on a mission to make science-backed mental health insights accessible and practical for every person seeking to better understand or improve mental wellness.
Members of Rula’s clinical leadership team and other expert providers contribute to all published content, offering guidance on themes and insights based on their firsthand experience in the field. Every piece of content is thoroughly reviewed by a clinician before publishing.
