ME CFS Flashcards
5 ways clinical psychologists help with pain management
CBT
Pain education
Mindfulness & relaxation techniques
Psychological assessment
Support with coping strategies
Why is it important for clinical psychologists to help with pain management
Chronic pain can have a profound impact on mental health
Psychological interventions are crucial for improving quality of life and enhancing the effectiveness of medical treatments
How can CBT help with pain management
CBT aims to recognise negative and unhelpful thoughts and behaviour patterns
Important to identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and learn practical self-help strategies
CBT can help patients understand how their thoughts, feelings and behaviours impact their experience of pain.
It can help break the cycle of pain catastrophising, depression, anxiety and stress
How can pain education help pain management
Education helps patients better understand the mechanisms of pain, providing education that reduces fear and anxiety around pain and its management
How can mindfulness and relaxation techniques help pain management
Mindfulness-based approaches help patients manage stress and anxiety, which can worsen pain perception.
Teaching relaxation techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation can refuse tension and enhance pain tolerance
What do clinical psychologists assess in regards to pain management
Clinical psychologists assess the psychological impact of chronic pain, including mood disorders like depression or anxiety, which often co-occur with chronic pain conditions
How do clinical psychologists support patients with coping strategies for pain management
Psychologists help patients develop adaptive coping mechanisms, including problem solving and emotional regulation skills to manage the daily challenges of living with chronic pain
What does ME stand for
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
What does CFS stand for
Chronic fatigue syndrome
What is ME / CFS
A long term condition that can affect different parts of the body
Complex & poorly understood condition
Most common symptom is extreme tiredness - the cause is unknown
Other symptoms include sleep disturbances, cognitive impairments and pain
What are symptoms of ME / CFS
Feeling extremely tired all the time (making it difficult to do daily activities like showering, going to school, going to work)
Sleep problems including insomnia, sleeping too much or feeling exhausted and stiff after waking up
Problems with thinking, concentrating and memory
Symptoms getting worse after physical or mental activity (also called post-exertional malaise)
Pain in different parts of the body + flu like sumptoks and aching joints or muscles
What is the name of the condition where patients feel worse after mental or physical activity
Post-excertional malaise
How is CFS diagnosed
There are no specific tests but there are clear guidelines to diagnose it
GP asks about medical history & physical eximantion
Dr may order blood and irine tests to rule out aneamia, under active thyroids, liver and kidney problems
Dr may diagnose if symptoms not based on other conditions based on
- fatigue
- sleep problems
- cognitive issues
- symptoms worse after physical or mental activity
- muscle and joint pain
- headaches
- sore throat
List 5 ways clinical psychologists can help with treat cfs pain symptoms
CBT
Graded exercise therapy
Pacing strategies
Support with managing cognitive symptoms
Addressing mental health issues
How does CBT treat ME/CFS
CBT helps patients challenge there unhelpful thoughts about their illness, reduce avoidance behaviours and develop more effective strategies to cope with fatigue and other symptoms
How does graded exercise therapy help patients with ME / CFS
Some psychologists work in conjunction with physiotherapists to support gradual increases in physical activity, helping patients re-engage with life in manageable ways
How do pacing strategies help patients with CFS
Psychologists help patients learn how to pave their activities to balance rest and activity levels, avoiding overexertion and worsening of symptoms
How do psychologists help patients with CFS address their mental health issues
Many people with ME / CFS experience co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
Psychologists can provide tailored support to help manage these
What is CES (current job)
Cauda equina syndrome
What is motivational interviewing
A technique used to elicit changes in clients.
Involves expressing empathy, developing discrepancy, being supporting and avoiding arguments, supporting self efficacy and optimisim
What are two relaxati n techniques that could help with pain management
Deep breathing
Progressive muscle relaxation
An example of a coping strategies clinical psychologists may suggest
Emotional regulation skills
Explain the biological part of the biopsychosocial model
The physical aspects of the condition such as immune system dysfunction, nervous system deregulation, inflammation, in chronic pain changes in pain processing pathways can lead to heightened pain sensitivity
Explain the psychological part of the biopsychosocial model
Living with a long term condition can significantly affect mental health.
Patients may experience anxiety, depression, frustration or catastrophic thinkinf about their symptoms. Psychological interventions like CBT and compassion focused therapy can help manage their emotional responses
