Pain

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience. There can be many causes of pain. It may be the result of an injury or an operation. It may be due to an infection like shingles or a health problem like diabetes, arthritis or sciatica. Sometimes the reason for pain is unknown.

If you have had a problem with pain for some time then this may be called 'chronic pain'. Antidepressants (mainly TCAs) can be used to treat this pain. They can help to reduce the pain and get a good nights' sleep.

As well as tablets, there are many other ways to help lift pain and cope. Visit www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/chronicpain.asp for a self-help leaflet.