Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Bundle (312 pages)

CHRONIC PAIN CYCLE

The chronic pain cycle is helpful in understanding how pain impacts on our life, and in turn how our emotions and behaviors can further exacerbate our pain. As the cycle below shows, when we experience chronic pain, generally our level of activity decreases. This in turn leads to an increase in negative emotions, avoidance and withdrawal from otherwise enjoyable activities. Finally, this results in increased distress and overwhelm which may increase our experienced level of pain, and so the cycle continues.

01

Chronic pain episode

Decreased activity

02

05

Distress/ disability

Negative emotions

03

04

Avoidance/ withdrawal