- With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, board certified in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry, is a St. Louis native looking to the Internet as a way to help people improve their health and be more active participants in their own health care by learning from Mayo Clinic's experts.
Dr. Hall-Flavin has been a member of the faculties of Cornell University Medical College, New York Medical College, and The George Washington University Medical School before joining the Mayo Clinic staff in 1996. He has special interests in adult psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and psychogenomics. He has served as medical director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence from 1986 to 1999.
"With the advent of the genomics and proteomics revolution and the pace of advances in medicine, informed collaborative relationships between knowledgeable, capable health professionals and informed, proactive individuals and their families are more vital than ever," he said.
"I'm optimistic that our Internet health education activities will contribute to ever-improving health outcomes for all who participate and apply what is learned."
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Question
Pain and depression: Is there a link?
Is there a link between pain and depression? Can depression cause physical pain?
Answer
from Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Pain and depression are closely related. Sometimes, depression causes unexplained physical symptoms — such as back pain or headaches. In other cases, depression may increase your response to pain, or at least increase the suffering associated with pain. Conversely, chronic pain is stressful and depressing in itself. Sometimes pain and depression create a vicious cycle.
Some research shows that pain and depression share common pathways in the emotional (limbic) region of the brain. In fact, the same chemical messengers control pain and mood. In addition, both chronic pain and depression are influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
In some cases, antidepressants can reduce the perception of pain — as well as improve sleep and overall quality of life. Other types of mental health therapy can be helpful as well. Often, treatment involves both medical and mental health providers.
Next questionDepression and anxiety: Can I have both?
- Pain, pain, go away. American Psychological Association. http://www.psychologymatters.org/painpain.html. Accessed Aug. 18, 2008.
- Pain and depression. National Pain Foundation. http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/mytreatment/News_PainAndDepression.asp. Accessed Aug. 18, 2008.
