SUMMARY Disability in chronic widespread pain is determined not by intensity of pain but by psychological and social factors. Poorly functioning sufferers represent a significant proportion of people identified as psychiatrically disabled. Such clients have a mind-set that pain alone causes disability.
Disability in chronic widespread pain is determined not by intensity of pain but by psychological and social factors. In asking the question of a physician, it should be noted that in this context the legal meaning of Disability,
want of physical or mental ability...by reason of intervening cause
is closer to the medical (World Health Organisation) definition of Impairment 1.
Many chronic widespread pain sufferers are not disabled, and severity of pain and associated symptoms does not determine disability status 2, 3.
Poorly functioning sufferers represent a significant proportion of people identified as psychiatrically disabled. In the first detailed study 4 of psychiatric disability patients, almost 20% of the 500 had no significant or relevant physical disease or major psychiatric disorder. They complained of general aches and pains and tiredness and were considered to have a very poor prognosis for return to work.
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PRACTICE POINT Clients that suffer from chronic widespread pain are disabled because they believe they are disabled |
Such clients have a mind-set that pain alone causes disability. Thus, it appears that loss of functioning is caused by the belief that pain causes disability, rather than the severity of pain. Henry Ford's proposition may apply: "If you believe you can do a thing, or if you believe you cannot, in either case you are probably right."
Does Trauma Cause Chronic Widespread Pain?Referenced Articles
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Injury News Volume 5 Issue 2 Disability? Impairment?
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