Psychology of pain

Pain as a biopsychosocial experience, chronic pain and placebo.

3 pages

Concept

• Chronic pain: fear-avoidance, catastrophizing and psychological treatmentIn chronic pain, fear of moving and expecting the worst can keep pain and disability going
• Placebo and nocebo effectsExpectations and context can produce real improvement (placebo) or real side effects (nocebo)…

Theory

• The psychology of pain: gate control and the biopsychosocial modelPain is not just a signal from the body: attention, emotion, beliefs and context can turn it up…

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← Medical psychology and behavioral science

Educational content on behavior and the clinical relationship; not a diagnostic or treatment guide and no substitute for assessment by a health professional. If you or someone near you is at risk, seek help now from an emergency service or a mental-health helpline.

Representative model, for educational purposes only.