Some
suggest that reinforcement for the sick role may play a role in the
development of pain disorder. Others suggest that unconscious conflicts
are converted to pain symptoms.
Symptoms
Pain
which causes significant distress or impairment in functioning which
cannot be fully explained by a physician. It must be judged to be related
to psychological factors and cannot be better explained by another
disorder.
Treatment
Pain
symptoms may decrease with therapy and improvement sin social and
interpersonal functioning.
Prognosis
Poor.
The course is typically chronic and persists for years, and often involves
other symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and drug abuse.
The
information provided on this site is designed to support, not
replace, the relationship that exists between a patient, site
visitor, or student and his/her existing psychologist, mental
health provider or college instructor.
