Adolescents with psychiatric problems suffer from more chronic pain

A recent study showed that adolescents with psychiatric problems suffer from more chronic pain.

Professor Marit Sæbø Indredavik at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) analyzed adolescents with psychiatric problems and how their mental health issues can cause chronic pain.

Researchers surveyed 566 teenagers between 13 and 18 years old, who suffer from conditions like ADHD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and various autistic disorders.

The questionnaire asked the teens whether or not they had physical pain, and if so, to describe the pain and where it was located. Seven out of ten participants said they suffered from chronic pain, and regarding depressed youths, eight out of ten reported chronic pain, mostly musculoskeletal. Regardless of what mental woes plagued these teenagers, girls experienced more chronic pain than boys.

Indredavik explains that these findings can affect how health professionals approach mental health treatment.

"These numbers are so high that the entire support system for children and adolescents needs to be made more aware of the link between physical pain and psychiatric disorders. Physical pain is most common among young people who have conditions such as anxiety and depression, where they tend to be more focused on their problems. This is not a surprise, but it is a clear signal that we need to keep this in mind when treating mental health problems," Indredavik said in a press release.

Wenche Langfjord Mangerud from NTNU, another contributor to the study, adds that mental and physical ailments have to be treated concurrently. At the very least, medical doctors should learn if these adolescents are suffering from any type of physical pain, and then possibly work with physiotherapists when determining treatment options.

Indredavik argues that that may be easier said than done, but it's a route that's necessary to pursue.

"Unfortunately there are too few physiotherapists working in child and adolescent psychiatry, but you can find them elsewhere in the health care system. It is important that the health care providers work more closely so that both body and mind are taken care of," he said.