Links between pain and depression
Rabe-Jabłońska, J.; Miller, A.
Psychiatria Polska 39(1): 7-20
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2674 PMID: 15771150 Document Number: 590604
The authors present the review of basic knowledge about aetiological mechanisms of painful symptoms, especially chronic pain and give a detailed description of links between pain and depression (psychologic, biological). Depressive disorders and chronic pain often coexist. Data of studies show that 30-84% of patients with depression have chronic painful symptoms. In the course of depression various kinds of pain occur. Presently we know at least five kinds of links between depression and pain: 1) depression appeared prior to the start of pain, 2) depression is a consequence of chronic pain and stress, 3) depressive episodes cause an increase of risk of next affective episodes in patients with chronic pain, 4) psychologic factors play an important role in the development of depressive symptoms, 5) altered balance between noradrenergic and serotonergic pathways and disregulation of other neurotransmitter systems (cholinergic, GABA-ergic, dopaminergic) and neuropeptides may cause chronic pain and depressive disorder.