In cases of traumatic injury, such as whiplash or a lifting injury, a strain, sprain, or joint damage may in fact have occurred. In many cases, however, pain reflects chronic muscular hypertonicity following injury or subsequent to long-term stress. Lactic acid buildup and tissue irritation follow.
Psychotherapy: How it Works and How it Can Help. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) can be an important part of treatment for depression or bipolar disorder (manic depression). A good therapist can help you cope with feelings and symptoms, and change behavior patterns that may contribute to your illness.
This is too difficult to do completely on your own. Therapy can support you while you learn what you need to do for yourself: Learn to identify even the most subtle ways you violate the boundaries of others. Become excellent at noticing when people back away, emotionally and physically.