Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pain disorder
Introduction
For patient information on Somatoform pain disorder, click here
Overview
Overview
Pain disorder is when a patient experiences chronic and constant pain in one or more areas, and is thought to be caused by psychological stress. The pain is often so severe that it disables the patient from proper functioning. It can last as short as a few days, to as long as many years.
The disorder may begin at any age, and more women than men seem to experience it (APA, 2000). This disorder often occurs after an accident or during an illness that has caused genuine pain, which then takes a life of its own.
See also
See also
D.S.M-4 specifies two codded subdignosis of(1)pain disorder assosiated with psychological factors and (2)pain disorder assosiated with both psychological factors and general medical condition.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]