| Abstract: |
(from the chapter) Psychiatric and psychological interventions in the treatment of cancer pain have now become an integral part of a comprehensive approach to pain management, and these are highlighted in this chapter. Pain is perhaps among the most prevalent and distressing symptoms encountered in patients with cancer. Psychiatric and psychological consultation in the psycho-oncology setting must take into account the important relationships between pain and psychological and psychiatric morbidity. Uncontrolled pain can mimic psychiatric disorders, so mental health clinicians must be knowledgeable about pain and its appropriate management to recognize cancer-related pain when it is present. In addition, psychiatrists and psychologists can play a vital role in the multidisciplinary approach to managing cancer pain at all stages of disease. This chapter reviews the prevalence of pain in cancer, pain syndromes, and pain assessment issues, as well as pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for cancer-related pain. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved). |
