The Role of Psychology in Pain Management

Acute pain is mostly treated with pharmacological interventions. Since chronic pain is more resistant to such approaches, a more interdisciplinary approach has been adopted in the treatment of pain clinics recently. Improving physical functioning and improving lifestyle; Subjects such as reducing dependence on drugs and medical services are among the treatments applied in such clinics. Another treatment goal is to support family life and increase social support. To increase optimism and distraction within the framework of this goal; It is aimed to reduce anxiety, distress, patient role behaviors and secondary gains.
Psychological treatment of pain; includes response-based, cognitive and behavioral techniques. Among the response-based methods are relaxation exercises aimed at reducing anxiety and stress, and therefore pain, and biological feedback, which aims to provide the person with voluntary control over his/her body. In this context, hypnosis can also be used to relax the person.
Cognitive methods of pain management focus on a person's thoughts about pain, aiming to change the cognitions that increase the experience of pain.For this purpose, it is aimed to change dysfunctional thoughts by methods such as distraction, daydreaming, and Socratic questioning.
Behavioral treatment methods focus on basic operant conditioning principles and reinforcers are used to encourage the individual to change their behavior. Every change in behavior is rewarded by the therapist and the patient is encouraged to move towards previously determined goals.
Recently, a concept called "acceptance of pain" has also attracted attention. Acceptance of pain; The changes in the individual's self-perception and the extent to which pain becomes a part of identity can be examined in relation to it. In cases where pain control cannot be achieved; Focusing on aspects of life other than pain, realizing that pain is not a sign of personal weakness, may result in greater benefit to the patient from treatment.

Lecturer Kamala KHALINBAYLI