Psychological consequences of pain
Concentration and memory
Pain can affect concentration and memory which is a common problem also associated with chronic pain. Sometimes this can be due to side effects of medication, but pain itself can also interfere with concentration and memory. It can be compared to doing a demanding job in a noisy room where you are constantly interrupted. Chronic pain constantly demands your attention and interrupts what you are doing.
Short-term memory is often affected, meaning that appointments, names, messages, and ongoing tasks are often lost. It is thought that this may be because this information is not easily transferred to long-term memory, and therefore the information is not stored in memory but disappears. Memory problems can be frustrating, but it is possible to use other techniques, such as writing things down, rather than spending all your energy trying to remember things.
Stress, anxiety, and depression
Studies have shown that women with endometriosis score higher on stress, anxiety, and depression than women in the general population. Again, it is the pain in particular that is a problem. Women do not feel that they can cope with the pain and this leaves them feeling angry, unhappy, and sad. This can lead to feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, and isolation, which increases the risk of developing depression.
There may also be feelings of shame or guilt, and many women find it difficult to talk about the condition with others as they often feel distrusted. Being affected by a chronic illness and chronic pain can be associated with great sadness and a feeling of not knowing yourself anymore or feeling meaninglessness in your life.
Reduced quality of life
More generally, endometriosis can be associated with an overall reduced quality of life, with pain and fatigue being a central and destructive part of living with endometriosis. Treatment can therefore also be aimed at improving quality of life by reducing the effects of endometriosis and their detrimental impact on daily life, rather than concentrating solely on pain relief.
