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Chronic pain and the psychiatrist
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery
|February 1, 1978
Summary
Psychiatry aids chronic pain management by assessing psychological factors that influence treatment outcomes. A combined physical and psychiatric approach, utilizing various therapies, is key for successful pain management.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pain Management
- Psychology
Background:
- Chronic pain presents complex challenges in evaluation and treatment.
- Psychological factors significantly influence patient experience and treatment outcomes.
- Understanding the interplay between psychological and physical aspects of pain is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the role of psychiatry in the evaluation and treatment of chronic pain.
- To highlight psychological predictors of surgical outcomes in chronic pain patients.
- To outline psychiatric tools and therapeutic approaches for managing chronic pain.
Main Methods:
- Psychiatric interviews to identify formal psychiatric disorders.
- Psychological assessments, including the reaction inhibition test and Chapman's Somatic, Anxiety, Depression (SAD) index.
- Consideration of concepts like operant pain, the sick role, and illness behavior.
Main Results:
- Psychological profiles can predict surgical outcomes.
- Psychiatric evaluation enhances understanding of the patient's pain experience.
- Tools like the SAD index help differentiate functional versus organic pain components.
Conclusions:
- Psychiatry offers valuable tools for chronic pain assessment and treatment.
- A multidisciplinary approach combining physical and psychiatric interventions is essential for successful therapy.
- Patient attitude is a critical factor in achieving positive therapeutic outcomes.