Treating Depression and Pain

Article Abstract

Although chronic pain and depression have a high co-occurrence, major depression is underrecognized and undertreated in patients with chronic pain conditions, partly because these patients frequently present with somatic complaints rather than mood symptoms. Depression and pain have overlapping neurobiologic mechanisms, and a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with depression and painful physical symptoms should include pharmacotherapy to target serotonergic and noradrenergic neurotransmitters, along with cognitive-behavioral therapy, exercise, and patient education.