[Ygrec23]

Anybody on this site knows that psychological pain can equal or exceed intense physical pain. But that knowledge is subjective. Does anyone here know of any research or publications that address the issues posed by the measurement of psychological pain? Even physical pain is problematic and (to my knowledge at least) can't be directly determined and measured the way all sorts of other things can.

For me, and probably for many, many folk here at PsychCentral, this is a huge problem, because the intensity of the psychological pain I experience is what makes me want to do things to myself.

What techniques, if any, do you use to try and reduce the level of psychological pain that you suffer or have suffered in the past? What has worked best?

[Elana05]

Hi Ygrec23,
You bring up a very good point. My suggestion is to try searching the NIMH database for scientific info. regarding the relationship between physical and psychological pain. You might find some helpful information there...

Originally Posted by Ygrec23

What techniques, if any, do you use to try and reduce the level of psychological pain that you suffer or have suffered in the past? What has worked best?

I have used psychotherapy (2x per week) along with Kira brand St. John's Wort (600 mg), an herb used to treat mild to moderate depression. I also take 2,000 mg of vitamin D and 500 mg of vitamin C per day by recommendation of my doctor. I use liquid melatonin and valerian to help me sleep. I have been following (and continue to follow) this regimin for approximately 2 years (from the onset of my worst depression and anxiety) and I think it has offered me about a 35% reduction in my symptoms.

This being said, I actually believe that standard antidepressants are more reliable for treating moderate to severe depression. I have not found one that works well for me yet, which is why I continue to take the Kira. Finding the right antidepressant takes a little work - but can make all the difference as I have seen among two people close to me who have suffered the pain of major depression. I recommend a good psychopharmacologist (one who will listen to you).

[billieJ]

Ygrec, I think that Elana, above, has some great information for you, and I don't know that I can add much. I agree that antidepressant medication can make a big difference in the amount of psychological pain you experience. But it can require some time to find the right one. I am not sure of this, but if you have a therapist, you might inquire as to whether there is a psychological test for measurement of depression, which might be a word to describe psychological pain. However, I imagine that reducing the pain might be more important than measuring it. That being said, the measurement, such as on a depression scale or test, would be helpful to a psychiatrist in deciding on a plan for treatment. If there is something in your environment that could be contributing to your unhappiness, you might concentrate on changing that. Lonliness, for example, might be lessened by getting out among others at social activities and so forth. Here's hoping that you find some answers in the near future. A friend in PC ~ billieJ And ~ to PC!!

[Ygrec23]

This being said, I actually believe that standard antidepressants are more reliable for treating moderate to severe depression. I have not found one that works well for me yet, which is why I continue to take the Kira. Finding the right antidepressant takes a little work - but can make all the difference as I have seen among two people close to me who have suffered the pain of major depression. I recommend a good psychopharmacologist (one who will listen to you). [/quote]

Thanks, Elana, for your excellent suggestions. I'm presently on 100mg of Pristiq every day. Since 1993 I've tried pretty much every SSRI and others and Pristiq is the only one that's worked off and on. I don't take any of the health shop offerings. I just don't have much faith in them. I trust my p-doc in this area. I think he's good, even though Pristiq is the first thing he's come up with that's worked. I've tried all these things, drugs, therapy, what have you, for so long, and with so little success, I really don't care so much any more and feel that whatever happens, happens. There are just lives, like my own, that don't matter very much, and no one should get too upset when they end. After all, I'll be 65 on July 3. My father only lived to 62. Why should I live longer? I just don't really care very much any more.

http://current.com/1jcfm4c

[Ygrec23]

Originally Posted by TheByzantine

http://current.com/1jcfm4c

Thanks, Byzantine! Great article.