Living with chronic illnessMental healthPain management

9 ways chronic pain can affect quality of life

Minimize the emotional problems and physical discomfort caused by chronic pain.

Jan, 2026
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Improve Quality of Life with a Pain-Management Plan

Chronic pain doesn't just hurt your body. It can often take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being, too.

When you experience chronic pain, your mood, your memory, your relationships, and your overall quality of life may be affected. Negative emotions can make pain worse and, in turn, contribute to depression and other emotional problems. To avoid this vicious cycle, it's important to work with a healthcare provider (HCP) to create a comprehensive pain-management plan that minimizes both the physical and emotional impacts of chronic pain.

Written byMichael Gollust.
Medically reviewed byAnn Wendling, MD, MPH.September, 2023

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