PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC APPROACHES TO CHRONIC PAIN

Chronic pain is a multifaceted syndrome that spans the artificial dichotomy of organic versus psychodynamic. Evaluation of the chronic pain patient must take into account cognitive, emotional, personality, family, legal, and social factors. Psychological approaches to the treatment of chronic pain include operant, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamically oriented psychotherapeutic modalities. It is increasingly recognized that the complex nature of chronic pain requires a multifaceted treatment approach, and suggestions for implementing such measures are offered.