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Pain Management: Psychogenic Pain
Psychogenic pain is a pain disorder associated with psychological factors. Some types of mental or emotional problems can cause, increase or prolong pain. A person with a psychogenic pain disorder will complain of pain that does not match his or her symptoms.
Types of Psychogenic Pain
Headaches, muscle pains, back pain, and stomach pains are some of the most common types of psychogenic pain.
How Is Psychogenic Pain Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of psychogenic pain is made when other causes of pain are ruled out. A person with a pain disorder will complain of pain that does not match his or her symptoms. Medical doctors and mental health specialists working together are often most helpful to those with this disorder.
How Is Psychogenic Pain Treated?
Treatment for psychogenic pain may include:
Ask a health care provider for more information if you suspect that someone you care about may have psychogenic pain.
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Pain Management Department.
WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic
Pain Management Guide
TOPAMAX is approved for migraine prevention in adults only.
TOPAMAX is not used to stop a migraine after it starts.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). Symptoms could include hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing), tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat or changes in the level of alertness. Call your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests. Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease.
Other serious risks include decreased sweating, increased body temperature, kidney stones, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Call your doctor immediately if you have any decrease in vision or eye pain. These problems can lead to blindness if not treated right away.
More common side effects are tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, taste change and weight loss.
Tell your doctor about other medications you take. Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information.
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