Decreased sensitivity to experimental pain in adjustment disorder.
An altered perception of pain has been described for several psychiatric disorders. To date the influence of adjustment disorders (AD) on pain perception has not been described. Here, we investigated perception of experimentally induced pain in 15 patients suffering from AD (subtype with depressive symptoms) and controls matched for age and sex. Thresholds and tolerances were assessed for thermal and electrical pain on both sides of the body. We found an overall increase of pain thresholds and tolerances in AD patients as compared to controls, predominately on the right side of the body. Analogue findings have been reported for pain perception in major depressive disorder (MDD). Of the data obtained, only thermal pain threshold on the right arm correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms. Although the underlying pathology is elusive it is likely that the mechanisms for reduced pain sensitivity are comparable in MDD and AD.
Bär
Karl-Jürgen
KJ
Department of Psychiatry, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Philosophenweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany. karl-juergen.baer@med.uni-jena.de
Brehm
Stanislaw
S
Boettger
Michael Karl
MK
Wagner
Gerd
G
Boettger
Silke
S
Sauer
Heinrich
H
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales