TY - JOUR
T1 - Chronic pain and psychopathology
T2 - Research findings and theoretical considerations
AU - Dersh, Jeffrey
AU - Polatin, Peter B.
AU - Gatchel, Robert J.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2002/9
Y1 - 2002/9
N2 - Objective: Numerous studies have documented a strong association between chronic pain and psychopathology. Previous research has shown that chronic pain is most often associated with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. The primary objective of this review article is to describe the nature of the relationship between chronic pain and each of these types of psychopathology. In addition, this article will explore how each of these disorders are expressed within the context of chronic pain, with a consideration of both diagnostic and treatment issues. Methods: Medline and PsychLit searches of the chronic pain/psychopathology literature from 1980 through 2000 were conducted using the keywords chronic pain, psychopathology, psychiatric disorders, and psychological disorders. Results: The relationship between chronic pain and psychopathology has generated substantial empirical and theoretical interest, with depressive disorders receiving much of the attention. Conclusions: Although no single theoretical model can fully explain the causal relationship between chronic pain and psychopathology, a diathesis-stress model is emerging as the dominant overarching theoretical perspective. In this model, diatheses are conceptualized as preexisting, semidormant characteristics of the individual before the onset of chronic pain that are then activated and exacerbated by the stress of this chronic condition, eventually resulting in diagnosable psychopathology.
AB - Objective: Numerous studies have documented a strong association between chronic pain and psychopathology. Previous research has shown that chronic pain is most often associated with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. The primary objective of this review article is to describe the nature of the relationship between chronic pain and each of these types of psychopathology. In addition, this article will explore how each of these disorders are expressed within the context of chronic pain, with a consideration of both diagnostic and treatment issues. Methods: Medline and PsychLit searches of the chronic pain/psychopathology literature from 1980 through 2000 were conducted using the keywords chronic pain, psychopathology, psychiatric disorders, and psychological disorders. Results: The relationship between chronic pain and psychopathology has generated substantial empirical and theoretical interest, with depressive disorders receiving much of the attention. Conclusions: Although no single theoretical model can fully explain the causal relationship between chronic pain and psychopathology, a diathesis-stress model is emerging as the dominant overarching theoretical perspective. In this model, diatheses are conceptualized as preexisting, semidormant characteristics of the individual before the onset of chronic pain that are then activated and exacerbated by the stress of this chronic condition, eventually resulting in diagnosable psychopathology.
KW - Chronic pain
KW - Psychiatric disorders
KW - Psychological disorders
KW - Psychopathology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036742727&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/01.PSY.0000024232.11538.54
DO - 10.1097/01.PSY.0000024232.11538.54
M3 - Review article
C2 - 12271108
AN - SCOPUS:0036742727
SN - 0033-3174
VL - 64
SP - 773
EP - 786
JO - Psychosomatic Medicine
JF - Psychosomatic Medicine
IS - 5
ER -