Chronic Pain for the General Psychiatrist: A Review of Shared Mechanisms and Treatment Strategies-View Presentation

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The session was part of a conference where Dr. Javier Jimenez, a psychiatrist who specializes in chronic pain management, delivered a talk titled "Chronic Pain for the General Psychiatrist: A Review of Shared Mechanisms and Treatment Strategies." Dr. Jimenez emphasized the complexity of chronic pain, distinguishing it from acute pain and highlighting the importance of understanding its biological, psychological, and social underpinnings. Chronic pain often involves central sensitization, where the nervous system becomes hypersensitive, leading to conditions like hyperalgesia and allodynia. These conditions can be maintained or exacerbated by psychological factors like anxiety and pain catastrophizing, and social factors such as enabling behaviors. Dr. Jimenez advocated for a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to pain management, incorporating medical, physical, and psychological rehabilitation. He discussed the limitations and potential side effects of commonly prescribed pain medications, including opioids, benzos, and SNRIs, and highlighted alternative treatments like TCAs, anticonvulsants, and even atypical antipsychotics in certain cases. Emphasizing education and a holistic treatment strategy, Dr. Jimenez argued for a focus on improving patient functionality and quality of life, rather than solely aiming for pain relief. The talk concluded with a Q&A session, where further insights on medication management and practical treatment strategies for chronic pain were discussed.

Keywords

Chronic Pain

Psychiatrist

Biopsychosocial Approach

Central Sensitization

Pain Management

Opioids

Anxiety

Hyperalgesia

Allodynia

Alternative Treatments

Patient Functionality

Quality of Life