3 Habits that Perpetuate Fear in your Brain and Cause Unexplained Chronic Pain

As a chronic pain therapist, I’ve noticed different habits that perpetuates fear in my clients.

When you're experiencing anxious, self-critical or perfectionistic thoughts, your body produces more cortisol which can lead to fear.

Cortisol is your body's main stress hormone & it can lead to inflammation & physical pain in the body. When this happens, the body can perceive non-harmful sensations as pain.

This is why traditional treatment, like medication, isn't always effective for treating unexplained physical aches and pains, and why we need to work with our body and mind to heal. 

By recognizing and addressing these habits, you can start to take steps toward healing and finding relief from your chronic pain.

How Fear Turns into Pain

Fear plays a profound role in turning emotional distress into physical pain. 

When the brain perceives a threat, it triggers the body's stress response and releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This heightened state of awareness can lead to increased muscle tension, inflammation, and changes in pain perception. 

Over time, the fear-based stress response can have a significant impact on our nervous system, causing those pain signals to go haywire and perpetuating the never-ending cycle of chronic pain. 

Thankfully, understanding the intricate link between fear and pain is key to breaking free from their grip and finding lasting relief from your chronic illness. By taking a proactive approach and addressing those fear-driven habits, while cultivating a more balanced mindset, you can disrupt the connection. 

Now for the 3 habits that are perpetuating your chronic pain:

Fear-Driven Habit 1: Self-Criticism

The habit of self-criticism is an internal enemy that wreaks havoc on our well-being. 

When we continuously berate ourselves for not being good enough or making mistakes, our brain responds with stress and negative emotions. This heightened state of tension can lead to physical manifestations of chronic pain. 

The constant inner voice of self-criticism can create a cycle of fear and stress, further exacerbating the pain experience. By cultivating self-compassion and practicing positive self-talk, you can start to break free from this habit over time.

Fear-Driven Habit 2: High-Functioning Anxiety

High-functioning anxiety can silently agitate the brain and perpetuate chronic pain. 

While individuals with high-functioning anxiety may appear successful and in control on the outside, their inner world may be riddled with anxiety and fear. Many highly productive and efficient people are driven by their anxiety, instead of healthy drivers like determination or ambition. 

This constant state of alertness triggers the brain's stress response, leading to heightened muscle tension and sensitivity to pain. By addressing the root causes of anxiety and learning healthy coping strategies, you’ll be able to calm the brain and reduce the impact high-functioning anxiety is having on your nervous system.

Fear-Driven Habit 3: Perfectionism

Perfectionism can fuel chronic pain by creating a constant sense of pressure and fear of failure. 

The fear of not measuring up triggers the brain's stress response, perpetuating the cycle of chronic pain. By challenging perfectionistic tendencies and embracing the concept of progress over perfection, we can ease the burden on our brain and create a more forgiving and nurturing relationship with ourselves.

Unexplained chronic pain can be a perplexing and debilitating experience. 

However, by recognizing the habits that perpetuate fear in our brain, self-criticism, high-functioning anxiety, and perfectionism, we can begin the journey toward healing and relief. 

Cultivating self-compassion, addressing anxiety, and letting go of the need for perfection can help us create a more peaceful and harmonious relationship with our bodies and minds. As we embark on this transformative path, seeking support from a mental health therapist or coach can provide invaluable guidance and tools to ease our healing journey. By breaking free from these fear-based habits, we open the door to a life of greater well-being, resilience, and joy.

Learning how to regulate your nervous system & manage your thoughts is what helps you to heal unexplained pain in the long term.

If you experience chronic pain & are curious about how mind-body therapy could help you, schedule your FREE 15-minute intro call with me!

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