A new study shows that feelings of helplessness can directly affect the worsening of chronic pain, while simultaneously reducing patients' quality of life.
Researchers have found that people who experience what in medical terminology is called "mental defeat" - a condition associated with the loss of social identity and self-esteem - report higher levels of pain.
This psychological condition makes individuals more likely to withdraw from social and physical activities, further worsening symptoms.
The study, published in the scientific journal Pain, involved 137 adults living with chronic pain. Participants reported their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors three times a day for two weeks. The results showed that as feelings of mental exhaustion increased, so did the intensity of their pain.
According to the researchers, this creates a “vicious cycle,” where negative self-perceptions further fuel feelings of helplessness, making the condition even more severe. They emphasize that this feeling is not directly related to the physical level of pain, but constitutes a separate psychological process.
The study's leader, Professor Nicole Tang from the University of Warwick, stressed that while pain cannot always be eliminated, the way individuals experience and interpret it can significantly influence their suffering.
The findings come at a time when demand for treatment for chronic pain is increasing. According to data from NHS England, around 26 percent of adults report some form of chronic pain, and this figure is predicted to increase significantly by 2040.
Experts believe these results could help develop new therapeutic approaches, including the use of digital tools to provide real-time support. According to Professor Swaran Singh, such interventions could help patients better manage negative thoughts, stay active and reduce the impact of pain on daily life. /GazetaExpress/
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