Somatization and chronic pain.
The experience of pain is related not only to tissue damage and physical illness, but also to mental phenomena including depression, anxiety and somatization. Somatization is common among chronic pain patients and presents special problems in management and treatment. Somatoform patients are often given inappropriate diagnoses, treated for non-existent depressive disorders, and exposed to multiple, superfluous investigations. Psychological models of chronic pain and somatization are presented, and treatment issues including psychotherapy and the use of antidepressants are discussed.
Birket-Smith
M
M
C/L Psychiatry Clinic, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. mbs01@bbh.hosp.dk
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D059408:Pain Management; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy
D000928:Antidepressive Agents