The Importance of a Psychological Evaluation in the Treatment of Chronic Pain
There’s a common misperception that pain is exclusively a physical phenomenon, the response your body gives when nerves are stimulated. Because of that belief, there can be a stigma attached to the idea of having a psychological evaluation when you’re experiencing chronic pain.In reality, a psychological assessment may be the ideal starting point when you are in regular and significant pain. It’s well-documented that mental or emotional conditions, including fear, stress, anxiety, and depression, can have a physical component. A psychological profile allows you to take a holistic approach to chronic pain.
During the course of a psychological assessment, your treating physician will customarily reviewboth your medical history and personal history, looking for cues and connections between life events and physical manifestations. Based on the observations made, your doctor may propose atreatment regimen that includes a multi-disciplinary approach, including one or more of the following:
- Biofeedback—The use of your mind to control aspects of your body, including breathing, relaxation, and blood pressure
- Visual imagery—The use of mental pictures to address trauma response, desensitize you to certain responses, or make adjustments in physical responses to pain
- Hypnosis—Training your mind to respond differently to certain stimuli and directing your body to react differently
- Cognitive conditioning therapy—A therapeutic technique that allows you to create new types of responses to certain stimuli that have been problematic in the past
The treatment may consist of group counseling, or your physician may opt to engage primarily or exclusively in individual counseling.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
Let us help you take steps to return to peak performance at work! Call Advantage Healthcare Systems toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas, and San Antonio.
