A Psychiatrist Explains How Pain and Depression Are Connected

Chronic pain and depression are closely connected—when you’re experiencing one, the other may be worsened. According to psychiatrist Tracey Marks, M.D., that’s because depression can heighten your sensitivity to pain. Meanwhile, it’s believed that chronic pain may influence how your brain cells communicate to affect your mood, she says.

Despite the link, there are several ways to manage your pain and depression that can help you find relief for both. In this video, Marks breaks down the science of the bidirectional relationship between pain and depression, and shares options for easing both issues.