A 2025 literature review looked at 376 studies spanning countries across the globe and found a very high incidence of depression and anxiety in those with chronic pain. Interesting the pain condition affected the affected the prevalence.
Fibromyalgia having the biggest percentage with 55.5% also suffering from anxiety and 54% depression.
Arthritis having the lowest percentage with 17.5% also suffering from anxiety and 29.1% depression.
The difference shown is likely because conditions such as Fibromyalgia are known to be associated with something called nociplastic mechanisms (pain due to altered nociception in the absence of tissue damage). Whereas conditions such as arthritis have greater nociceptive or neuropathic involvement.
For some time now there has been a wealth of evidence that psychological distress and adverse life experiences increase the risk of chronic nociplastic pain.
It is also known that the relationship between chronic pain and depression/anxiety can be influenced in both directions.
At Mustard Therapy & Coaching we work with the psychological interplay with chronic pain, regardless of what may have caused which. We also use hypnotherapy techniques for managing chronic pain.
