How prevalent are personality disorders in chronic pain patients? A recent review of eight prevalence studies suggests that the prevalence of borderline personality disorder in patients presenting to pain clinics is approximately 30%, which is significantly higher than the estimated 2% to 6% reported for the general population.
Do patients with personality disorder have altered pain sensitivity? This relationship has most frequently been studied in patients with borderline personality disorder. Early studies conducted in mental health settings suggested that patients with borderline personality disorder have an insensitivity to pain. However, more recent studies of patients in the primary care setting suggest that patients …
Do patients with personality disorder have altered pain sensitivity Read More »
Are certain personality disorders predisposed to developing problematic substance use? Patients with Cluster B types are particularly vulnerable to the positively reinforcing effects produced by taking medications that provide immediate positive psychoactive effects (euphoria). This is especially true of opiates and benzodiazepines. These patients do not tolerate the strong negative emotions produced by pain, and …
Are certain personality disorders predisposed to developing problematic substance use Read More »
Are personalities influenced by chronic pain? Personality trait pathology, especially in the domains of anxiety, self-efficacy, and somatization, has been demonstrated to improve with treatment of chronic pain. As the patient’s symptoms improve, the vulnerability of their trait composition is less likely to be provoked. Conversely, the emergence of chronic pain can lead to the …
Do certain personality disorders predispose patients to chronic pain? All personality types can experience chronic pain, but those who fit the criteria for Cluster C personality disorders are most vulnerable. It has been demonstrated that individuals with chronic pain are overrepresented in these patients’ tendencies to be low in self-directedness and high in harm avoidance. …
Do certain personality disorders predispose patients to chronic pain Read More »
Which children should be referred to pediatric pain management specialists? Children with recurrent, persistent, and chronic pain benefit from interdisciplinary teams implementing multimodal pain treatment plans. Unfortunately most major American cities still do not have specialized pediatric pain management teams available to address the needs of this vulnerable population. Board certification in pediatric pain management …
Which children should be referred to pediatric pain management specialists Read More »
What is the role of behavioral therapy in pain management for children? Behavioral therapies are directed toward changing either children’s behaviors or the behaviors of the adults who respond to their pain. The therapeutic objective is to lessen behaviors that may increase children’s pain, distress, and disability, while increasing behaviors that may reduce pain, anxiety, …
Role of behavioral therapy in pain management for children Read More »