If a patient says that such issues as anxiety or depression are having a negative effect on their life and daily functioning, then refer them to a mental healthcare provider, Dr. Zembrzuska says. Make sure to discuss this option with your patient and get their approval so they don’t feel blindsided.
Dr. Zembrzuska also likes to give patients strategies, such as keeping a journal of their symptoms. She will explain that mental health issues may lead to increased pain perception and disability.
Dr. Hausmann agreed that this is an important point. In some cases, a patient’s increased pain may not require another medication to treat. The pain could tie into a need for increased attention to their mental health.
Additionally, Dr. Zembrzuska introduces her patients to meditation and mindfulness apps, such as Calm and Headspace. In her role as a psychiatrist, she has done short, guided meditations from these apps with patients. She thinks patients are more likely to use such apps after they see how easy they are to use. Podcasts related to disease management and patient support groups also give patients more information, which can be empowering, she says.
Vanessa Caceres is a medical writer in Bradenton, Fla.