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PTSD, Trauma-Related Symptoms and Pain: A General Overview

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Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

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Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain frequently co-occur. Patients with comorbid PTSD and chronic pain suffer more distress and disability than patients presenting with only one disorder. The present chapter provides a brief overview of the existing literature on the relationship between PTSD and pain. The goal of the chapter is to provide therapists and researchers with a guide to navigate the literature on this topic by addressing the following questions: (1) Why do PTSD and chronic pain co-occur? (2) Which aspects of this comorbidity should therapists take into account? (3) Are there treatment programs available for patients with comorbid PTSD and chronic pain? (4) What important issues still need to be researched? Finally, some advice regarding clinical practice is provided.

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Abbreviations

PTSD:

Posttraumatic stress disorder

TEI:

Trauma-exposed individuals

SIA:

Stress-induced analgesia

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Campus San Joaquín, Avda, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, Chile

    Lydia Gómez-Pérez

  2. Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatment, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071, Málaga, Spain

    Alicia E. López-Martínez & Gema T. Ruiz-Párraga

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada

    Michelle J. N. Teale Sapach

Authors
  1. Lydia Gómez-Pérez
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  2. Alicia E. López-Martínez
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  3. Gema T. Ruiz-Párraga
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  4. Michelle J. N. Teale Sapach
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lydia Gómez-Pérez .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Buckinghamshire New University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

  2. Kings College, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Gómez-Pérez, L., López-Martínez, A.E., Ruiz-Párraga, G.T., Sapach, M.J.N.T. (2015). PTSD, Trauma-Related Symptoms and Pain: A General Overview. In: Martin, C., Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08613-2_14-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08613-2_14-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-08613-2

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