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Chronic pain and mental healthWhen pain and mood feed each other, treat them together

Psychiatric care for the depression, anxiety and sleep problems that so often come with persistent pain, coordinated with your GP and pain team. By secure Telehealth Australia-wide.

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The pain and mood connection

Two problems that make each other worse

Chronic pain and mental health conditions often occur together. Many people living with persistent pain also experience depression, anxiety, poor sleep or withdrawal from the things they enjoy.

The link runs both ways: unmanaged pain can deepen low mood and anxiety, and untreated mental health conditions can make pain harder to bear and pain treatment less effective. Treating both together can make each easier to manage.

At a glance

ReferralGP referral required
FundingPrivate billing, Medicare rebates
FormatTelehealth Australia-wide
Works withYour GP and pain specialist
Make an enquiry
Our approach

How we treat pain and mood together

Psychiatric assessment

A careful look at how pain, mood, anxiety, sleep and current medicines interact.

Medication review

Some medicines can help both mood and pain. Your psychiatrist reviews what you take and recommends changes where it may help.

ACT psychology

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy adapted for chronic pain, building flexibility alongside your medical treatment.

Coordinated care

We work with your GP, pain specialist and allied health team, fitting into the plan you already have.

FibromyalgiaCRPSNeuropathic painBack and spinal painArthritisMigraine and headachePost-surgical painEndometriosis-related pain
Straight answers

Chronic pain questions

Can't find what you need? Call +61 7 3435 1513 or email intake@marchahead.com.au.

How does chronic pain affect mental health?
Chronic pain and conditions such as depression and anxiety often occur together and reinforce each other. Poor sleep, worry about pain and pulling back from activities are common, and each can make the others worse.
Can a psychiatrist help with chronic pain?
A psychiatrist can treat the depression, anxiety and sleep problems linked with pain, review your medicines for interactions, and work with your GP and pain specialist. Some treatments can help with both mood and pain.
Which conditions do you see?
People living with fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, back and neck pain, neuropathic pain, headache disorders, endometriosis-related pain and other persistent pain where mental health is a significant factor.
Is there a Medicare rebate?
Medicare rebates may apply to psychiatry consultations with a GP referral that mentions the mental health symptoms related to your pain.

Living with chronic pain?

Telehealth Australia-wide, or in person in East Brisbane. We confirm your referral, fees and any rebate with you before anything is booked.

Make an enquiryCall +61 7 3435 1513