Chronic Pain Today

Psychogenic pain is pain that has a mental or emotional cause rather than a bodily one. Typically those of any age can get develop it, with women having a slight higher percentage than men. Those that are at a higher risk are ones with a history of depression, alcohol or any other type of addiction, those with PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder), or those with a relative with psychogenic pain. It typically is much harder to diagnose than other pain conditions because of the difficulty to find a reason. Many will be cast off as having hypochondria or Munchausen’s syndrome (where people make themselves sick so that they draw attention to themselves). Currently, there is no known way to prevent psychogenic pain from forming.

Psychogenic pain will typically develop as a reaction to a stress or a specific problem. The patient who is having social troubles with their mate will typically be seen for heart and chest related conditions while the patient with trouble at the office will typically be seen for back related conditions. It tends to be relative. In most cases, the pain will go away on its own after they have worked out their stress, or the reason for the pain. Others will have it manifest into a chronic condition.

To diagnose the condition a thorough medical history and exam will need to be done, with blood tests and other diagnostic tests to rule out any other reason for the pain. Then a thorough psychological exam will need to be done so that the patient can be properly diagnosed. Results though in eleven new studies have found that using antidepressants to treat patients with psychogenic illnesses may help relieve pain over a placebo. Other ways to help include hypnosis and biofeedback, as it will help with both the pain and the intensity of the pain.

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