L19 - Health Psychology 3 - Pain Sciences Flashcards
How is chronic pain linked to mental health?
1 in 5 Australian adults with severe or very severe pain also suffer depression or other mood disorders.
Pain is associated with high rates of generalised anxiety disorder, PTSD, and substance misuse.
Suicide rates are 2-3x higher for those with chronic pain compared to the general population (worldwide).
Is pain objective?
No
Many people do not report pain consistant with their physical body
pain relies heavily on context
Where is pain produced and why is it produced?
Pain is produced by the brain when it determines, on the balance of evidence (e.g., thoughts, beliefs, emotional state, past experiences, sensory information, etc), that producing pain will be protective.
Which is more painful, pain associated with the nervous system or pain associated with tissue damage?
nervous system
this is what leads to chronic pain
What type of model do we use to treat pain?
Biopsychosocial model
What does the biopsychosocial model address when trying to fix pain
What are the biological factors in the biopsychosocial model that lead to pain?
Nociceptive system adaptations; (e.g., intracellular efficiencies leading to increased nociception).
Brain changes, e.g., emotional-affective circuitry (or ”neurotags”) becoming linked to pain circuitry virtual body maps becoming “smudged” or imprecise.
Dysfunction of other protective systems; e.g., sympathetic nervous system (i.e., fight-or-flight) endocrine (i.e., stress) system immune system (e.g., inflammation).
What thoughts and beliefs in the biopsychosocial model of pain can lead to chronic pain?
How are emotions related to the biopsychosocial model of pain?
There is a a reciprocal relationship to pain and emotional disorders - increased risk of occurrence.
e.g. Sub-clinical depression, anxiety, stress, and anger.
What are the diagnosable disorders emotional disorders that are comorbid with pain?
Depression, Generalised Anxiety, Health Anxiety, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
and more
What are the 5 steps of the biopsychosocial model of pain
Pain - Thoughts/Beliefs - Emotions - Immune System - danger/Nocioceptive System - repeat
What behaviours and motor system influences can impact chronic pain?
What social and environmental factors can increase your chance of developing chronic pain
Supportive of recovery - increase chance of recovery
Punitive about pain and encouraging of taking the sick role - increase chance of chronic pain
How does intake (diet) impact chronic health
Diet, drugs and alcohol can significantly prolonge chronic pain
Our brain produces pain because it believes it is _____
protective
Our brain decides when to protect us based on _______
context
Explain the DIMs vs SIMs explanation for why we feel pain?
DIMS = Danger in Me
SIMs = Safety in Me
Pain (and inflammation [or sensitivity]) is produced when evidence of Danger In Me (DIM) outweighs evidence of Safety In Me (SIM).
In the DIMs v SIMs model, when Marlene volunteers, works and explores - what is this an example of
SIMs - safety in me (feels safe)
Is “I have good days and bad days” a DIM or a SIM
DIM
(may imply that pain changes occur randomly, out of her control, and she is helpless to it);
“I can’t be active until I’m healed/pain-free”.
“I’m learning about what triggerts and aggrevates my pain. I have a plan on how active I can be (with minimal risk), no matter what level my pain is
Is this a DIM or a SIM
SIM
has self control and believes she can manage her pain
When Marlene says - “My pain means something and I must still be damaged; my pain means I need to rest”
Is this a DIM or a SIM?
DIM
here she is hopeless; traumatic memories and beliefs related to the accident(?).
In regards to people in Marlenes life who are -
Medical practitioners (who say there’s nothing wrong or they can’t help); lawyers (compensation claims); insurance company staff.
Are these DIMs or SIMs?
DIMs
They are encouraging negative beliefs about her pain and that she has no control
In regards to people in Marlenes life who are -
Friends; family; health practitioners who can explain pain and develop a pain
treatment plan with her.
Are these DIMs or SIMs?
SIMs
Helping her believe that she can beat this pain
DIM: Additional weight (higher risk of other medical complications; increased pain
and difficulty when moving), medications (e.g., opioids)?, tobacco?, alcohol?, diet?
SIM: Healthy lifestyle changes (wean off unnecessary pain medications; reduce
tobacco and alcohol intake; maintain a healthy and regular diet).
These are examples of DIMs and SIMs related to Marlenes____
physiological/biological state
