October 27, 2005 – Psychotherapy may be effective in relieving pain associated with nervous system disorders. This is what Michael Sullivan, from the Department of Psychology at the University of Montreal, says.
He has just delivered the results of a clinical trial1 he and colleagues in Halifax conducted 80 patients with neuropathy from diabetes, herpes, surgery or accidental trauma.
In addition to subjecting subjects to a tactile test to establish the intensity of pain, the researchers assessed various aspects of their attitude to pain. They used a tool designed by Professor Sullivan, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), which aims to determine the degree of “catastrophic attitude” of a subject in the face of pain.
The “doomsday attitude” is a tendency to focus on the symptoms of pain and the threat they pose, which in turn breeds fear, anxiety and feelings of self-esteem. incapacity. It even leads to chronic pain, says Michael Sullivan.
According to the results of the test, subjects with such an attitude denote a feeling of helplessness in the face of the disease. They suffer more than others, more than 15%, according to a pain intensity scale.
The suffering associated with neuropathy demoralizes patients because it is very difficult to treat, according to Professor Sullivan. The drugs prescribed for this type of pain, most often opiates, have little effect on its intensity. They often cause unwanted effects.
“Unfortunately,” he explains, “our health system contributes to the feeling of helplessness: we have medicalized pain, we consider it a pathology while it is part of life and we must learn to live with it. instead of relying solely on drugs. “
The researcher believes that a psychotherapeutic approach aimed at countering the patient’s feeling of helplessness in the face of his disease should be part of the treatment of chronic pain, particularly in the case of neuropathy. Such an approach would, he said, reduce the disabilities or disabilities resulting from chronic pain.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to Forum.
1. Sullivan MJ, Lynch ME, Clark AJ. Dimensions of catastrophic thinking associated with pain experience and disability in patients with neuropathic pain conditions.Bread. 2005 Feb; 113 (3): 310-5.
