Chronic Pain and the Mind: Myths That Get in the Way of Treatment

Chronic pain — whether physical or emotional — is often surrounded by persistent myths. These don't just mislead: they send people in the wrong direction and cost them time.

Myth 1: "It's a psychological problem, not a psychiatric one"

One of the most widespread myths is that suffering can be neatly divided into "psychological" and "psychiatric" — and that the former doesn't require a doctor. Dr. Saulitis is clear: when the brain is in a pathological state — when neuroplasticity is impaired and neuronal resources are depleted — no amount of conversation or coaching will fix the situation. A psychologist works with behaviour and thinking, but cannot see the condition of the underlying "hardware" — the brain itself. Trying to influence thinking without understanding the state of the neurons is like not knowing whether to cool a computer down or heat it up.

Myth 2: "Start with psychotherapy and see what happens"

Another common mistake is turning to talk-based methods first, when what the person needs most is to restore basic biological homeostasis. The doctor offers a straightforward analogy: if a leg is broken, you need a cast first — only then physiotherapy and exercise. Prevention and psychological work are valuable, but only once the baseline condition is stable. Seeking treatment without a diagnosis is pointless.

Myth 3: "I can figure out my diagnosis myself — or from the internet"

A diagnosis is always made by a qualified medical specialist. The same outward presentation — memory problems, fatigue, emotional pain — can have entirely different causes: burnout, attention deficits, age-related changes, stress. They look the same on the surface; the causes are different. Treatment must address the cause, not just the symptom. Without an accurate diagnosis, any intervention risks being, as the doctor puts it, completely wide of the mark.

The key takeaway

Understanding what is happening in the brain — its current state, how the neurons are functioning — is the starting point. Without that understanding, even well-intentioned help loses its precision. The first step is a specialist who can see the full picture.