Review of Psychological Vulnerability to Chronic Pain

Grzesiak and Ciccone's addition to literature exploring the psychological factors of chronic pain, Psychological Vulnerability to Chronic Pain (see record 1994-98241-000), is significant in that it considers the impact of these factors through psychodynamic, cognitive, and behavioral theories rather than focusing on a single, narrow, theoretical view. In addition, musculoskeletal, physiological, and somatic factors are also addressed in understanding how chronic pain can develop from an acute injury and why some people may be more likely to develop chronic dysfunctional pain symptoms. In several chapters, authors with expertise in treating patients with chronic pain present their views about which factors increase vulnerability to developing chronic dysfunctional pain symptoms. The importance of nonorganic factors in the development of chronic dysfunctional pain is also explored. The role of somatization in the development of chronic dysfunctional pain conditions, as well as in the treatment of specific conditions, is considered. By combining information based on several theoretical orientations, the editors have compiled an intriguing, important book that concisely provides an overview of the current knowledge in this field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)