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Pain Medication for Depression

According to the Mayo Clinic, pain and depression are often closely associated. Depression may manifest physically as back pain or headaches. Depressed people also tend to have a lower tolerance for pain. Harvard University estimates that people with chronic pain have three times the risk of developing depression and depressed patients have three times the risk of developing chronic pain. As a result, antidepressants often pull double duty as pain medication.

  1. Psychiatric Drugs as Pain Killers

    • According to Harvard Medical School, almost any psychiatric drug can also serve as a pain medication. Harvard Medical School also states that antidepressants are the most versatile.

    Antidepressants as Pain Killers

    • There are several pain medications on the market that were originally prescribed as antidepressants. Drugs like Cymbalta and Wellbutrin are often prescribed to treat chronic pain as well as the emotional pain associated with depression.

    Tricyclic vs. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

    • Experts believe that the two major types of antidepressants have slightly different effects on pain. Tricyclics, like Elavil, have analgesic and sedative effects while selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like Prozac, work more on the mood aspects of pain.

    Fibromyalgia and Depression

    • Doctors also prescribe antidepressants, and other psychiatric medications for fibromyalgia. Harvard University states that fibromyalgia is more closely associated with depression than most other medical conditions.

    Pain Management and Depression

    • Pain specialists and pain rehabilitation centers often treat both problems together by prescribing standard pain killers along with psychiatric drugs. In severe cases, doctors may prescribe opiates in addition to psychiatric medications.

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