Mental Health Friday 2024-01-05
On Mental Health Friday, we post, in alphabetical order, one per week, information on mental health disorders. Mental Health Friday is for informational purposes only, and is in no way meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Please do not self diagnose and seek professional help for what ails you.
Link: FindTreatment.gov is an online source of information for persons seeking substance use and/or mental health treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories.
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Pain Disorder
Editorial Team
“Pain Disorder” was a term that had been used in the field of psychiatry, particularly in the context of the DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision). However, it’s important to note that the field of psychiatry and the DSM may have undergone updates or changes since then. Please consult the latest medical literature or a qualified healthcare professional for the most current information.
In the DSM-IV-TR, pain disorder was characterized by the presence of severe pain that was the primary focus of clinical attention. The pain was either disproportionate to the severity or intensity of any underlying medical condition or could not be fully explained by a medical condition. It was further classified into two subtypes: Pain Disorder Associated With Psychological Factors and Pain Disorder Associated With Both Psychological Factors and a General Medical Condition.
Pain Disorder Associated With Psychological Factors:
In this subtype, psychological factors were believed to have a significant role in the onset, severity, exacerbation, or maintenance of pain.
The psychological factors could include stress, depression, anxiety, or other emotional issues.
The individual may be preoccupied with thoughts about the pain, leading to impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Pain Disorder Associated With Both Psychological Factors and a General Medical Condition:
This subtype involved the presence of a diagnosed medical condition, which could contribute to the pain.
However, the pain experienced was considered to be more severe or persistent than what would typically be expected from that medical condition alone.
Psychological factors were believed to play a role in the exacerbation or maintenance of the pain.
It’s crucial to recognize that the DSM-5, released in 2013, has undergone significant changes, and the term “Pain Disorder” is not present in its classification. Instead, the DSM-5 introduced the diagnosis of “Somatic Symptom Disorder” and “Illness Anxiety Disorder” to better capture the complex interactions between physical symptoms, psychological factors, and illness beliefs.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on this topic, it’s recommended to refer to the latest edition of the DSM or consult with a mental health professional who can provide personalized information based on the current diagnostic criteria and understanding in the field.