Psychosocial Aspects of Pain Management

Pain and psychological disorders with associated disability still remains a major issue in management of chronic pain. The subjective nature and reliance on self-report makes pain the most challenging of all symptoms to treat. Mental and physical functions are not separate from each other, they are interrelated - the 'mind-body' concept. Pain causes significant suffering and distress, is feared by patients, is often poorly understood, and hence poorly managed by clinicians. Philosophy of mind deals with mentality and its properties and understanding this is important not only for the pain relievers but for all those interested in understanding pain. This article is a brief review on what we know regarding these so far, the social and psychological implications and their impact on adult pain management.