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Chronic pain beyond patienthood.
F G Zitman1, A C Linssen, H R Van
1Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Chronic pain sufferers who avoid medical help ("nonconsumers") often have longer-lasting pain but perceive it as less intense. This "nonconsumer attitude" is independent of pain duration and impacts help-seeking behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Pain research
- Psychology of pain
- Health services research
Background:
- Many individuals with chronic pain do not seek medical attention.
- Understanding the characteristics of these individuals is crucial for improving pain management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the characteristics of chronic pain nonconsumers with those of patients attending a pain clinic.
- To investigate the relationship between the
- nonconsumer attitude
- and pain duration.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing two groups: nonconsumers (n=40) and chronic pain patients (n=46).
- Data collected on pain duration, intensity (diaries and estimation), analgesic use, functional impairment, coping strategies, depression levels, and expectations of external help.
Main Results:
- Nonconsumers had pain twice as long as patients but reported lower estimated pain intensity.
- Nonconsumers used fewer analgesics, experienced less functional impairment, employed fewer maladaptive coping strategies, were less depressed, and expected less external help.
- The nonconsumer attitude was found to be independent of pain duration.
Conclusions:
- The "nonconsumer attitude" in chronic pain is characterized by a lower perceived pain intensity and reduced reliance on external resources, irrespective of pain duration.
- These findings highlight distinct psychological and behavioral profiles in individuals who delay or avoid seeking professional pain management.