Pain Awareness Month: Recognizing and Supporting the Mental Health Side of Chronic Pain
- Rebecca Stone, LMHC
- Sep 8
- 5 min read
September Is Pain Awareness Month
Each September, Pain Awareness Month invites us to shed light on a truth millions live with every day: chronic pain is not just a physical experience—it affects every area of life, including mental health.
As a mental health provider who has worked with clients with chronic health and pain conditions, and as a person who lives with multiple chronic health and pain conditions herself, I’ve deeply understand the emotional impact of long-term pain and chronic health conditions that limit our livelihood. What I’ve learned is this: pain changes more than the body. It changes how you feel, how you think, how you connect with others, and how you see yourself.
And yet, the psychological toll of pain often goes unspoken.
This month, let’s break that silence.
Chronic Pain Comes in Many Forms
Pain is complex and unique to each person. It doesn’t always show up on scans or blood tests (so your tests may look "normal")—and often, it doesn’t come with a clear solution. Here are some of the most common chronic pain conditions adults face:
Connective Tissue Diseases
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is one example of connective tissue disorder. EDS can affect all connective tissues in the body and often causes joint instability, chronic pain, dislocations, injuries, fatigue, brain fog, memory difficulties, and more. EDS is under-diagnosed is often not known to physicians or is misunderstood, leading to frustration and emotional exhaustion as it can take years to get an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, EDS often comes with a variety of additional co-morbid conditions, such as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and other dysautonomic disorders, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
Autoimmune, Neurological, and Chronic Pain Conditions
Conditions which affect the immune, neurological, nerve functions can have varied and widespread effects on functioning and pain. They often effect multiple bodily systems and have a variety of co-morbid conditions. These conditions often involve flares of pain and inflammation, creating an unpredictable daily reality.These conditions can include:
Chronic Migraines and Headaches
Chronic headaches and migraines can come in many forms and result in differing effects. They are more than “just a headache;” chronic headaches and migraines can be debilitating and disruptive to everyday life. They may also be a result of another condition or triggered/exacerbated by a variety of things, making them often difficult to predict and manage.
Back and Neck Pain
Whether from injury, surgery, degenerative conditions, or other conditions noted in this article, back and neck pain is one of the most common chronic conditions worldwide.
Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain
Endometriosis and other types of pelvic pain, such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Chronic, can severely impact quality of life, intimacy, fertility, and body image. Many people wait years for an accurate diagnosis. In some cases, endometriosis spreads to other areas outside of the pelvic region, causing significant pain and other symptoms, and is often missed by physicians.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Conditions
A variety of painful GI conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis often lead to social anxiety, dietary restrictions, and chronic discomfort.
Post-Injury or Surgical Pain
Some pain persists long after the body is expected to have healed—bringing confusion, grief, and often, medical gaslighting.
Long COVID and Post-Viral Syndromes
These complex conditions can involve nerve pain, joint pain, fatigue, and "brain fog"—often with no clear treatment path.
Pain Doesn’t Just Hurt the Body—It Hurts the Mind
Living with chronic pain often leads to:
Depression – From the loss of function, identity, or future plans
Anxiety – Fear of flares, future disability, or not being believed
Medical trauma – Especially after years of misdiagnosis or invalidation
Isolation – It’s hard to keep up with relationships and responsibilities
Grief – For the life you thought you’d have and the things being missed out on
Anger and guilt – At your body, your limitations, or the responses of others
All of these are normal. They are not a sign of weakness—they are signs that your experience matters.
How Mental Health Care Can Help
While physical treatments are crucial, mental health care is a vital part of healing—whether the pain goes away or not.
Therapy can help you cope, adjust, and reconnect with what matters most.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT teaches practical skills for challenging unhelpful thoughts like “I can’t do anything anymore” or “This pain will ruin everything.” It helps reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and shift how you respond to pain.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Mindfulness teaches nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment—including your pain. It helps lower stress, improve emotional regulation, and increase resilience.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR helps process trauma, including:
Painful medical events
Emergency surgeries
Feeling ignored or dismissed by providers
Many people with chronic illness carry unresolved emotional wounds. EMDR helps reduce the emotional intensity of those memories and build a new relationship with the body.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is particularly powerful for chronic pain. Instead of trying to “fix” or “fight” pain, ACT helps people:
Accept that pain is part of their current reality (without giving up)
Commit to living in alignment with their values—even when pain is present
Learn skills to “unhook” from difficult thoughts (e.g., “I’m useless”) and focus on what brings meaning
ACT isn’t about resigning to pain—it’s about reclaiming your agency, identity, and purpose.
Chronic Illness & Pain-Informed Psychotherapy
Sometimes, simply having a safe space to grieve, vent, or be heard is deeply healing. Therapy offers validation, support, and strategies tailored to your unique journey with pain.
If You Live With Chronic Pain: This Is for You
You are not lazy.
You are not exaggerating.
Your pain is real, even if others can't see it.
You are allowed to feel frustrated, angry, heartbroken, and exhausted.
And you are still worthy of joy, connection, and support.
Mental health care doesn’t erase pain, but it can help you carry it with greater strength, compassion, and clarity.
For Loved Ones and Caregivers
Supporting someone in chronic pain? Here are a few reminders:
Ask them how you can best support them (don't assume—everyone's experience of their condition, needs, and preferences are unique)
Listen without judgment
Believe what they tell you, even if you don’t understand it
Offer help, but respect their boundaries
Encourage them to explore mental health support—not as a last resort, but as part of whole-person care
This World Pain Awareness Month, Let’s Do Better
Let’s challenge the myth that pain is only a physical issue.
Let’s advocate for holistic and integrated care—care that acknowledges the body and the mind.
Let’s stop telling people to “push through it,” and start asking how we can walk beside them.
Ready to Talk?
If you're living with chronic pain and struggling emotionally, therapy can be a lifeline. Our practice offers compassionate, trauma-informed care for adults managing chronic illness, pain, and medical trauma.
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You are not alone. Your pain is valid. And your mental health matters.
Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to be comprehensive of all possible conditions. This post is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, mental health provider, or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical or psychological condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.
