Chronic pain as a third pathologic emotion
Abstract
Chronic pain is often difficult to explain on the basis of objective findings. Various theoretical models are available. The hypothesis advanced here is that chronic nonprogressive pain is primarily a neuropsychologic event and that it is in the same category as the emotions of anxiety and depression, with each emotional state having neurochemical correlates now achieving some definition. General systems theory and analogy are used to compare acute and chronic pain with the phenomena of fear and anxiety and also with grief and depression.
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