Can a Psychologist Help With Pain?

"Pain can be hard to understand...and to even describe. According to Straub (2023), "Few topics in health psychology are as elusive as pain." Pain is the primary reason that people seek medical care, and it is also considered to be a fifth vital sign, along with blood pressure, temperature, respiration, and pulse. Multiple factors can affect pain, including age, gender, stress, and socioeconomic status, thereby complicating assessment and treatment."

"The consequent challenge is that pain is "a variable personal experience not closely linked to tissue damage" (Straub, 2023). According to Johnson et al. (2023), people may have difficulty telling their pain stories, and when they do, it may not be understood or be treated in a serious manner. Susan Jarquin, Ph.D., MBA, understands the challenges faced by patients with chronic pain and is part of the innovation movement in the field of pain treatment."

""There can be negative stereotypes or stigma around pain and pain management," she said. Some people discouraged her from even venturing into the arena, telling her such things as, "I don't know... that's a tough population to work with," and "You might find that difficult." She downplays such comments in her role as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Pain Management Program."

Pain is difficult to understand and describe, and it is a leading reason for seeking medical care and a recognized fifth vital sign. Multiple factors, including age, gender, stress, and socioeconomic status, influence pain perception and complicate assessment and treatment. Pain often does not correlate directly with tissue damage and represents a variable personal experience. People may struggle to communicate pain effectively, leading to misunderstanding or inadequate treatment. Psychologists can contribute practical coping tools, including everyday creative activities, and can function within multidisciplinary teams to address stigma and improve chronic pain management and patient interaction.

Read at Psychology Today