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How can pain affect how we feel

How pain can affect how we feel 

We know that persistent (chronic) pain can have a significant impact on our well-being and what we feel able to do. It can affect our work, relationships, hobbies and interests, our thoughts and how we feel emotionally. Some common responses to pain include anger, frustration, guilt, low mood, anxiety, fear, and feeling misunderstood. 

We also know that pain is complex and that a lot of factors can influence our experience of pain, including on-going stress, trauma, anxiety and poor sleep.

What can I do about this?

Your local pain management service will ask about the impact pain has on your life and will explore, with you, ways to manage this. There is also lots of useful information and support available for you to access for free:

Additional resources:

Where to get emotional support:

  • ‘Parabl talking therapies’ for mild to moderate anxiety and depression: Tel: 0300 777 2257, Website: www.parabl.org.uk
  • MIND – a mental health charity offering support and information: Tel: 0300 123 3393, Website: www.mind.org.uk/about-us/mind-cymru
  • ACTivate your life: A free online course teaching ways to improve your mental health and well-being:

 https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/activate-your-life/

  • Talk to the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90

 

How to get social support or find a local group to join:

 

If you need support to keep yourself safe:

  • Contact you GP
  • Ring 999 or attend A&E