CBT for Chronic Pain

Educational content only. Coordinate with medical care for diagnosis and multimodal pain management. See our Medical Disclaimer.

Overview

Chronic pain can change activity patterns, mood, and attention. Avoidance leads to deconditioning and reduced quality of life; CBT helps restore function while respecting limits.

Why CBT helps

Pacing: graded increases prevent boom‑and‑bust cycles.
Attention shifting: reducing pain hyperfocus to broaden engagement.
Meaning & values: reconnecting with valued roles and activities.

Journaling prompts

Activity plan (duration/effort) → completed? pain/fatigue before/after.
Helpful self‑talk when pain spiked was…
One valued activity I protected today was…

Use brief function logs with How to Journal.

Selected readings

Turk, D. & Gatchel, R. Psychological Approaches to Pain Management.
Guidelines on CBT within interdisciplinary pain treatment.

When to seek care

Consider referral to a multidisciplinary pain clinic for coordinated CBT, physical therapy, and medical management.