ABSTRACT
Of the range of recalled negative experiences that beset human existence, pain is among the most debilitating and the most fear and anxiety provoking. Pain, defined both as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage (Merskey & Bogduk, 1994), or described in terms of such damage, has the capacity to subjectively affect every aspect of life. The physiological effects of pain include diminished functional capacity, endurance, autonomic and peripheral events and, in some individuals, disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep. The psychosocial effects of pain include somatic preoccupation and perceived loss of control, coupled with increased anxiety, anger, fear, agitation, and depression. The societal impact of pain includes feelings of guilt and altered relationships (e.g., social, vocational, avocational, personal, financial, familial, and marital). Anti-depressant treatment for chronic pain has been fully described elsewhere (Barkin & Fawcett, 2000) and utilized in the preparation of this chapter.
