INDIANAPOLIS (Ivanhoe Newswire) – Millions of people live with chronic pain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says chronic pain affects about 21% of adults in the U.S.

Doctors say people who have chronic pain are also at higher risk for depression or anxiety.

Chronic pain and depression are among the most disabling conditions worldwide. Many people struggle with both.

Dr. Kurt Kroenk, a research scientist at Indianapolis-based Regenstrief Institute, said, “About half the people with depression have some pain symptoms, and about half the people with pain have some depression symptoms.”

It can be a vicious cycle.

For example, people dealing with pain often don’t sleep well, which affects their mood and can make them vulnerable to depression or anxiety. That, in turn, can increase a person’s susceptibility to pain.

Kroenke said, “Anybody who’s suffered from chronic pain knows that it just takes over, and the same with depression.”

The medical doctor says when someone visits a physician for treatment of chronic pain that it’s important for the patient to discuss any psychological symptoms they’re also experiencing, such trouble sleeping, no energy, or trouble concentrating.

Kroenke created a widely used questionnaire to help doctors easily measure severity of pain, depression or anxiety.

“So, this is a way of saying, you know, ‘Your blood pressure’s up, except your depression score is up.’”

He says it’s important to identify and treat both to end the negative cycle. When someone is dealing with both pain and depression, treating one can sometimes help lower symptoms of the other. In other cases, a combination of treatments might be needed.

Health Spotlight is presented by Community Health Network. Contributors to this article include Lindsay Dailey, Producer; Kyle Fisher, Videographer; Roque Correa, Editor.

Mental health resources

• Be Well Indiana
• Indiana Suicide Prevention
• Indiana Department of Child Services’ Children’s Mental Health Initiative
• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 or 800-273-8255
• More resources