title: Psychiatry has much to offer for chronic pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to make an argument in favour of the inclusion of psychiatrists on chronic pain clinic teams.
  
  
  METHODS
  The argument takes the form of answers to four central questions: (i) does pain involve an emotional experience; (ii) do psychiatric disorders accompany chronic pain; (iii) can psychiatric disorders present as chronic pain; and (iv) which patients present to pain units, and what do we know of their personalities?
  
  
  RESULTS
  The affirmative case was substantiated in respect of the first three questions. In examining the last question, evidence indicates that patients who present to chronic pain units frequently have personality features that make assessment and therapy difficult.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychiatry is the field of medicine where practitioners have the most experience with emotional states and personality, and is the only field where they have specialized skills in the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders. Psychiatry has much to offer in chronic pain management and chronic pain management teams should include a psychiatrist. This conclusion has resourcing and training implications.
authors: Department of Psychological Medicine, Royal Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia. s.pridmore@utas.edu.au
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Pridmore
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Oberoi
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Harris
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology*