PTSD and Chronic Pain

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) mostly is known for its effect on overall mental health. There is research, however, to support the fact that PTSD is increasingly being recognized for its effect on physical wellness as well. Many who suffer with PTSD (veterans in particular) have higher lifetime prevalence of circulatory, digestive, musculoskeletal, nervous system, respiratory and infectious disease. There is also an increased co-occurrence of chronic pain in those who suffer with PTSD. Chronic pain may be defined as pain that persists longer than three months that was initially accompanied with tissue damage or a disease which has already healed. In 1979, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) officially redefined pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential damage or described in terms of such damage.” This definition takes into account the fact that pain involves thoughts and feelings. Pain is real regardless of whether the biological causes are known, and it is ultimately a subjective experience. Pain experienced by veterans is reported as significantly worse than the public at large because of exposure to injury and psychological stress. Rates of chronic pain in women veterans are even higher. Women are known to suffer chronic, nonmalignant pain disproportionally more than men, so it seems intuitive that the high prevalence of chronic pain in enlisted women is merely a consequence of being a wom...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Chronic Pain Disorders General Psychology PTSD Anxiety Disorder Fibromyalgia Hysteria Marginalization Military Posttraumatic Stress Disorder psychological stress Psychological trauma Somatization Stigma Suffering War Vetera Source Type: news