Psychiatric and Psychological Management Considerations Associated with Nerve Damage and Neuropathic Trigeminal Pain

This article reviews current models of neuropathic pain and relates recent research in the neurobiology of pain to improved under-standing of psychiatric and psychological aspects and treatment of chronic aspects of pain. Some of the anomalies associated with beliefs about chronic pain are also outlined. In particular, the notion that pain is either verifiable or due to psychiatric distur-bance is laid to rest; the onus is on the clinician to understand and treat the patient with sensitivity, rather than on the patient to pro-vide proof of pain.

neuropathic pain; psychiatric and psychological management guidelines

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