Chronic Illness and Pain
Living with a chronic illness or ongoing pain affects far more than physical health. It can affect mood, identity, relationships and daily life.
Psychological support alongside medical care is an established part of managing chronic health conditions, not a sign that symptoms are only psychological. This page covers the psychological impact of chronic illness and pain, and how support can help alongside medical care.
How can chronic illness and pain affect mental health?
Depression & anxiety
Significantly more common among people living with chronic illness or pain than in the general population.
Grief
For the life, abilities or future a person expected before their diagnosis, which is a genuine form of loss.
Identity changes
Adjusting to a sense of self that includes illness or pain, particularly where it affects work, activities or independence.
Frustration with the healthcare system
Including the toll of navigating appointments, uncertainty, or not always being believed.
Social & relationship strain
From the impact of illness on roles, plans, or the energy available for relationships.
The stress-pain cycle
Pain can increase stress and low mood, which can in turn worsen the experience of pain, a cycle that psychological support can help address.
These experiences are a common part of living with chronic illness or pain, not a personal failing or a sign of not coping well enough.
What contributes to psychological difficulty with chronic illness?
The illness or pain itself
Living with ongoing symptoms, uncertainty or functional limitation.
Loss & adjustment
Grieving previous abilities, plans or identity.
Healthcare system navigation
The practical and emotional toll of diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management.
Reduced participation
Illness or pain can limit work, social activities and independence, which affects mood and self-esteem.
Pre-existing or co-occurring factors
Chronic illness can also interact with a person’s existing mental health history.
How can therapy help with chronic illness and pain?
CBT for chronic pain
Addressing the thoughts, behaviours and cycles that can worsen the experience of pain, without denying that the pain is real.
Acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT)
Building a workable relationship with illness or pain, and reconnecting with activities that matter within realistic limits, rather than waiting for symptoms to fully resolve.
Grief-informed support
Processing the loss associated with chronic illness, with the same care applied to any significant loss.
Stress & emotion regulation skills
Directly addressing the stress-symptom cycle common in chronic illness and pain.
Support for identity & adjustment
Working through what chronic illness means for your sense of self and your life going forward.
Psychological support for chronic illness works alongside your medical treatment, not instead of it. The two are complementary.
When should I see a psychologist about chronic illness or pain?
It’s worth reaching out if you’ve noticed:
- Low mood, anxiety or grief connected to your diagnosis or ongoing symptoms
- Chronic pain that feels harder to manage when stress or mood is affected
- Difficulty adjusting to changes in your abilities, identity or plans
- The emotional toll of managing a chronic condition feeling like too much to carry alone
A GP can set you up with a Mental Health Care Plan under Medicare’s Better Access scheme, which covers a rebate for a set number of psychology sessions each year.
Matched with someone who's the right fit, not just whoever's free
Pair matches you with an AHPRA-registered psychologist based on your situation. The match considers clinical fit, practical things like session format and cost, and, if you want, identity-based preferences.
Get matched with a psychologistFrequently asked questions
Does seeing a psychologist mean my pain isn’t real or is in my head?
No. Psychological support for chronic pain is based on the well-established understanding that pain, stress and mood interact. Addressing the psychological side can reduce the impact of pain without implying the pain isn’t real.
Can therapy actually reduce physical pain?
Structured approaches like CBT for chronic pain have evidence for reducing the impact and distress associated with pain, and can improve functioning and quality of life, working alongside your medical treatment rather than replacing it.
Is it normal to grieve after a chronic illness diagnosis?
Yes. Grieving the life, plans or abilities you expected before a diagnosis is a genuine and valid response, and processing that grief is often an important part of adjusting well.
Do I need to keep seeing my medical specialists if I start seeing a psychologist?
Yes. Psychological support is a complement to your medical care, not a replacement. Continuing your medical treatment alongside psychological support generally produces the best outcomes.
Do I need a GP referral to see a psychologist about chronic illness or pain?
No. A GP referral is only needed for a Medicare rebate through a Mental Health Care Plan or a Chronic Disease Management Plan.
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