Medicus, Vol. 23 No. 1 Fenomen boli, 2014.
Pregledni rad
Psychological and Psychiatric Aspects of Pain Management
Josipa Ivanušić
Anja Harangozo
Sažetak
Pain is a significant healthcare problem. A great number of people around the world suffer from chronic pain. A painful condition may be a result of somatic and sometimes even incurable diseases, but it may be also associated with injury, inflammation or other tissue damages that are more intense than expected. In a certain number of pain patients, healthcare professionals cannot identify its cause. In these cases, where constant pain cannot be medically explained, it may be a clinical presentation of a psychiatric disorder. Whatever its origin, pain affects activity levels, e.g. work and social activities, and it can represent both a personal and societal burden. Pain is influenced by personal, social and environmental characteristics, including personality, gender, race, socioeconomic status and physical environment (e.g. weather and climate). Chronic pain patients remain a difficult diagnostic and management challenge. Chronic pain requires a multidisciplinary treatment. Besides the pharmacological treatment that can include antidepressants, anticonvulsant drugs and atypical antipsychotics to alleviate both anxiety and depression and the pain itself, psychological and psychosocial interventions can be practiced in order to relieve pain and emotional suffering. Cognitive-behavioural therapy could be a part of a holistic approach to treating chronic pain patients. It has additive effects to medical therapies. Psychological approach can reduce stress, tension, anger, hopelessness and negative consequences on daily activities, and improve the quality of life.
Ključne riječi
pain; chronic pain; pharmacology; antidepressants; psychology
Hrčak ID:
122389
URI
Datum izdavanja:
22.5.2014.
Posjeta: 6.242 *