Chronic pain and psychopathological disorders
Claudia Nuzzaci, Antonio Leo, Rosa Fanelli, Vincenzo Ciccarese
Chronic pain and psychopathological disorders are frequently associated, such as the relationship
between trigeminal neuralgia and depressive disorders. Beyond the etiological causes of trigeminal pain
and its therapies, a patient’s fear of pain could generate a polarisation of their attention on all the
information connected to it, becoming a risk factor of depressive relapses in people already suffering
from this disease. In this case, a multidisciplinary approach seems to allow a reduction in the number
of paroxysmal attacks and an improvement in quality of life, thanks to multidisciplinary medical and
psychotherapeutic integrated therapy, (drug therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness
based cognitive therapy). It also allowed a considerable reduction in the use of medication, up until
its temporary suspension, as well as mood enhancement, more control over trigeminal pain relief and
an improvement in pro-social activities, quality of life and self-esteem, with significant changes in
internal dialogue and a lower perceived vulnerability.
Keywords
Neuralgia, Behavioural Medicine, Major Depressive Disorder, Emotion
Recognition.
