title: The psychology of pain.
abstract: Emotional and evaluative issues are very important in the evaluation and treatment of pain. Treating the physical pain alone can leave these issues unresolved, and possibly exacerbate them through reinforcement. Understanding the impact of fear, expectations, and attention can help physicians deal more effectively with acute pain. Psychological issues are particularly prominent in chronic pain. Though acute care physicians may not be treating these psychological conditions, they can help by referring patients to the appropriate psychological or multidisciplinary setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, 1010 Murray Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, USA. cingemanor@aol.com
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Streltzer
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D001244:Association; D001288:Attention; D002908:Chronic Disease; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000523:psychology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid