title: Comorbid pain, depression, and anxiety: multifaceted pathology allows for multifaceted treatment.
abstract: The care of patients who suffer from physical pain and a psychiatric illness is typically challenging because of the complex interplay of affective, behavioral, cognitive, and physical aspects of pain. Psychiatrists are often asked to evaluate patients with pain because of a concern for comorbid depression and anxiety, and fears of suicidality as a result of pain. This article reviews the pathophysiology of comorbid pain, anxiety, and depression, along with the treatment modalities (pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, and "alternative") that may benefit all three conditions.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Nicolson
authors.forename: Jason P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Caplan
authors.forename: Deidre E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Theodore A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Stern
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D059408:Pain Management; D011570:Psychiatry; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012803:Sick Role
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs