Review article

DEPRESSION AND PAIN: OFTEN TOGETHER BUT STILL A CLINICAL CHALLENGE - A REVIEW

Nikolina Rijavec ; University Psychiatric Hospital Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Virginija Novak Grubic ; University Psychiatric Hospital Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

Depression is a common mental disorder with various symptoms and often accompanied with unexplained painful physical
symptoms. Patients, especially in primary care, often present only with somatic symptoms and depressed mood is overlooked. On the
other hand, psychiatrists don’t pay enough attention to somatic or painful symptoms in patients with depression. The connection
between depression and accompanying painful physical symptoms is not completely understood although some common
neurobiological pathways are proposed. To achieve good clinical outcome all depression symptoms should be recognized and
treated. In this review we focus on painful physical symptoms which could not be explained by somatic illness or the intensity can not
be explained by physical disease and are attributed to somatic symptoms of depression. The aim of this review is to provide the basic necessary information for clinicians/psychiatrists on depression with painful physical symptoms, presenting the terminology,
epidemiology, differential diagnostics, neurobiological background, psycho-social aspects and treatment strategies.

Keywords

depression; pain; unexplained painful physical symptoms; neurobiology; treatment

Hrčak ID:

106320

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/106320

Publication date:

20.12.2012.

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