[Differential diagnosis of pain experience. Chronic pain and depression]

Chronic pain and depressive symptoms often occur together. The relationships between these two conditions are, however, still controversial. On the neurobiological level, features common to both disorders are to be found. Mental coping patterns favor the development of depressive symptomatology in patients suffering from pain, or of pain within the framework of a psychiatric illness. For the diagnostic work-up, the case history, exploration, organic investigations and, where indicated, psychological tests are employed. A well-proven strategy in the areas of diagnosis and therapy is interdisciplinary cooperation involving physicians, psychologists and--within relevant institutions--nursing staff.