Controlling stress is vital for someone in chronic pain. Learning to relax – something that seems simple but actually requires concentration and effort – could improve your life.

Stress

A person with chronic pain is highly susceptible to stress and its effects. Chronic pain never lets up, so the person in pain may feel overwhelmed by their condition and feel hopeless. Family members and friends may grow impatient or intolerant of the person’s condition and not offer the support necessary, leading to stress. It may be more difficult for a person with chronic pain to keep up with their job requirements or goals, leading to even more stress.

People in chronic pain don’t get a break from their pain and other symptoms. They may not sleep well, so they can’t recharge their energy stores. Day after day, it becomes more difficult to deal with life in a positive, healthy way. You may find yourself reaching overload and notice the results. You could become more accident-prone. You might make more mistakes than usual. You might not sleep well and find it impossible to get a good night’s sleep. These are signs that you need to try to relieve some of the stress in your life. Without releasing the tension and getting good sleep, your pain may worsen.

Depression

Feelings of grief, sadness and anger are normal responses to loss and to the changes a chronic illness can bring to your life. For people with osteoarthritis, the losses can be physical, social and emotional. Although these emotions are normal, if they aren’t dealt with properly, they can lead to depression. There are several steps you can take to successfully address the emotional challenges of osteoarthritis. These include support groups, keeping a journal and seeking professional help. If you think you may be depressed, talk with your doctor.

Attitude

If you can’t change the situation, change your outlook. You can only change yourself, not other people. Some situations can’t be changed, but your point of view can. Try to roll with the punches. Being flexible helps you keep a positive attitude despite hardships.

• A positive attitude is an important part of taking control of your arthritis and can actually help to influence the outcome of arthritis.

Want to make living with arthritis easier and less painful? With The Arthritis Foundation’s Tips for Good Living with Arthritis, you can learn shortcuts for making your bed, doing household chores, getting to work and much more. To purchase your copy, call (800) 283-7800.

*Information in this section has been excerpted from The Arthritis Foundation’s Guide to Pain Management, by Susan Bernstein, copyright ©2003, Arthritis Foundation and The Arthritis Foundation’s Guide to Good Living with Osteoarthritis, copyright ©2000, Arthritis Foundation. To learn more about these books and for other pain management resources, call (800) 283-7800.