Pain disorder

Pain disorder
Synonyms	Somatoform pain disorder, psychogenic pain disorder
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Chronic pain in one or more areas, significant distress or impairment
Complications	Depression, anxiety, disability
Onset	Any age, often in adulthood
Duration	Variable, often chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Psychological factors, stress, trauma
Risks	Family history, stressful life events, mental health disorders
Diagnosis	Clinical evaluation, exclusion of other medical conditions
Differential diagnosis	Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, somatic symptom disorder
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Cognitive behavioral therapy, antidepressants, pain management
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable, can improve with treatment
Frequency	Unknown, varies by population
Deaths	N/A

Pain disorder is a medical condition characterized by persistent or recurrent pain that is the primary focus of clinical attention. The pain is often associated with significant emotional distress and functional disability.

Definition

Pain disorder is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as a condition in which pain is the predominant focus of the clinical presentation and is of sufficient severity to warrant clinical attention.

Classification

Pain disorder can be classified into two types:

• Pain Disorder Associated With Psychological Factors: This type of pain disorder is characterized by the presence of psychological factors that are judged to have a major role in the onset, severity, exacerbation, or maintenance of the pain.
• Pain Disorder Associated With Both Psychological Factors and a General Medical Condition: This type of pain disorder is characterized by the presence of both psychological factors and a general medical condition, both of which are judged to have a role in the onset, severity, exacerbation, or maintenance of the pain.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of pain disorder is the experience of pain that is severe enough to interfere with daily activities. The pain may be localized or widespread, and it may vary in intensity. Other symptoms may include anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.

Causes

The exact cause of pain disorder is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of physical, psychological, and environmental factors. These may include a history of physical or emotional trauma, chronic medical conditions, and certain personality traits.

Treatment

Treatment for pain disorder typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and physical therapy. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and improve function.

See also

• Chronic pain
• Pain management
• Psychosomatic medicine