Living with CRPS: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and beyond.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a stressful and sometimes debilitating disease. Its emotional effects can even interfere with one regular daily routine. Knowing and understanding these effects can help a person with CRPS cope with each change and help them continue living a fruitful and happy life.
The Physical Cause
Research has shown that among CRPS patients, limbic system dysfunctions are prevalent. The limbic system, also called the “emotion center” of the brain, is responsible for storing memories, hormone regulations, and emotions among others. It is located between the brain stem and the brain hemispheres. The conditions found among the patients who were tested were insomnia, irritability, agitation and anxiety, depression, poor memory and concentration, poor judgment, and panic attacks.
Insomnia
This is one of the most prevalent conditions among CRPS sufferers. The pain wakes one up from sleep or keeps one from getting sleep. The usual sleep aids like warm bath, relaxing scents, meditations, heating pads may help one to get some sleep. Over the counter sleep medication can also be taken but it is advisable to consult a doctor to avoid adverse effects from multiple drug treatments or with other diseases.
Poor Memory and Concentration
Forgetting regular or important tasks, easily distracted, forgetting to leave messages and others are sometimes part of living with CRPS as the pain distracts you from your current train of thought. Small things such as to-do lists, sticky notes, and reminders on phones and computers can help with remembering tasks. Having a small notebook handy to jot down important events and other things that happen to you that you might want to remember is also a good technique.
Irritability, Agitation and Anxiety, Depression
It is common for sufferers to have increased irritability and anxiety. This may lead to conflicts with loved ones, family members, and friends. This may often lead to feelings of guilt and may even escalate to depression. Sufferers are sometimes alienated by their own peers because of these mixed and troubled emotions, this only leads to further depression. To avoid this one can look for an emotional outlet, a Journal or Diary can become a good release for hidden feelings. Keeping your family and friends informed and involved on your condition and emotional state can help them understand what you’re going through. Family members can show support by maintaining an emotional link to the sufferer with activities that they can both enjoy. If needed one can also seek support from a therapist or psychologist who can suggest treatment regiments that are appropriate to the CRPS sufferer
People with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome may experience a few or maybe a combination of these emotional problems. But with proper preparation, care, and assistance, these problems need not interfere with his or her daily life. Health professionals, family, friends, and colleagues can help them get the proper treatments to their problems. A CRPS patient need only to remember that he or she is not alone and help is there and is available.