Where the Mind Meets the Pain: Dr. Jordan Sudberg on the Psychiatric Side of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is often thought of as a purely physical condition—a lingering backache, joint stiffness, or nerve damage that just won’t go away. But those who live with chronic pain know the truth: it reaches far beyond the body. According to Dr. Jordan Sudberg, a nationally recognized pain management specialist, the psychiatric aspects of chronic pain are just as important to address as the physical symptoms.

“Chronic pain changes how the brain functions. It affects mood, behavior, sleep, and even personality,” Dr. Sudberg explains. “If we only treat the physical discomfort, we’re missing a big part of the patient’s reality.”

Understanding how chronic pain affects mental health—and vice versa—is essential for providing truly comprehensive care. Here’s what Dr. Sudberg wants patients and providers to know.

The Psychological Impact of Persistent Pain

Pain that lasts for more than three to six months is considered chronic. Over time, it begins to rewire the brain’s pathways, especially those related to emotion, memory, and stress. This is why so many chronic pain sufferers also experience:

• Depression
  
• Anxiety disorders
  
• Sleep disturbances
  
• Social withdrawal
  
• Cognitive decline (“brain fog”)
  

“Pain is exhausting, both physically and mentally,” says Dr. Sudberg. “When someone is in pain every day, their mental bandwidth shrinks. Hope fades. Energy disappears. It’s not weakness—it’s a natural response to an ongoing stressor.”

Depression and Chronic Pain: A Vicious Cycle

One of the most common psychiatric effects of chronic pain is depression. According to research, up to 50% of chronic pain patients suffer from clinical depression. Dr. Sudberg sees this often in his practice.

“People lose the ability to do the things they love. They lose their independence. That sense of helplessness, over time, becomes despair,” he explains.

Unfortunately, depression can make pain worse. The brain’s pain modulation system—its ability to reduce or tolerate pain—becomes less effective when mood is low. This creates a vicious cycle: more pain leads to more depression, which leads to more pain.

Anxiety and Pain Sensitivity

Anxiety plays another major role. Chronic pain sufferers may develop intense fear around movement or daily activities, worried that these might worsen their pain or cause injury. This phenomenon, known as kinesiophobia, can lead to further physical deconditioning and emotional stress.

“Anxiety doesn’t just exist in the mind—it makes the nervous system more reactive,” Dr. Sudberg notes. “Pain becomes amplified when the brain is on high alert.”

Cognitive and Behavioral Changes

Chronic pain can also lead to concentration problems, memory issues, and irritability. Many patients report feeling like a “different person” as their pain continues. This is not surprising, given how pain consumes mental resources.

In some cases, patients may also exhibit catastrophic thinking—believing their pain will never improve, or that it’s a sign of something worse. According to Dr. Sudberg, addressing these thoughts is critical to recovery.

A Comprehensive Approach: Treating the Body and Mind

Dr. Sudberg believes that pain management must be integrated, treating not just the physical source of pain but the emotional and psychological damage it causes.

“We use an interdisciplinary approach,” he says. “Physical therapy, medication, injection therapies—but also psychotherapy, support groups, and stress management. Pain is complex, and our solutions must be too.”

His clinic often works in partnership with psychiatrists, psychologists, and behavioral therapists to provide coordinated care. Tools and strategies that may be used include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps patients reframe negative thoughts and build resilience.
  
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Teaches patients to manage pain and anxiety through meditation and breathing.
  
• Antidepressants and Anxiolytics: Some medications help regulate pain perception by altering neurotransmitters.
  
• Biofeedback: A technique that trains the mind to control physical responses to stress and pain.
  

Removing the Stigma

Perhaps the biggest challenge in treating the psychiatric aspects of chronic pain is stigma. Many patients hesitate to talk about their mental health, fearing they won’t be taken seriously. Dr. Sudberg is working to change that.

“There’s nothing imaginary about how pain affects your mental state,” he says. “We need to talk about it openly. The mind and body aren’t separate. They’re partners in healing—or suffering.”

Final Thoughts

Chronic pain is not just a medical condition—it’s a psychological and emotional journey. Thanks to physicians like Dr. Jordan Sudberg, patients can access holistic, compassionate care that acknowledges every part of the pain experience. By understanding and addressing the psychiatric aspects of chronic pain, we can offer not just relief—but restoration.