Breaking the Cycle of Chronic Pain and PTSD

"If you experience chronic pain and PTSD, you might find yourself stuck in a loop of unhelpful thinking and avoidance behaviors that backfire over time. Research shows that people with both chronic pain and PTSD have higher pain sensitivity, more psychological distress, and greater impairment than those with either condition alone (Reed et al., 2021). Often, care is siloed-physical pain managed by medical providers, psychological pain by mental health providers-missing the benefits of an integrated approach."

"Chronic pain and PTSD are deeply intertwined at both psychological and brain levels. Abdallah and Geha (2017) note that both conditions: Share Brain Circuits: Both involve the limbic system-especially the amygdala, hippocampus, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which are central to learning, memory, and emotions. Reinforce Negative Memories: Both are marked by replaying pain or trauma, reinforcing suffering. The brain overgeneralizes, warning us to avoid movement or vulnerability."

Chronic pain and PTSD often become mutually reinforcing, producing higher pain sensitivity, greater psychological distress, and more impairment than either condition alone. Both conditions engage overlapping limbic circuits—the amygdala, hippocampus, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex—promoting replay of painful or traumatic memories and overgeneralization that favors avoidance. Avoidance, hypervigilance, and catastrophizing amplify suffering and disability. Siloed care for physical and psychological pain limits recovery. Trauma-informed, integrated approaches that target biology, unhelpful thinking, and activity avoidance can reduce symptoms, improve function, and support a meaningful life despite persistent pain.

Read at Psychology Today