Befinden bei chronischem Schmerz

Chronic pain affects patients well-being and depression. One usually speaks of chronic pain, when pain lasts longer than 6 months. This definition doesn't take into account the multidimensional character of pain and the fact that pain often acts a process. Well-being is defined in this context as well-being and depression. It has been proved, that the time a patient is not able to work has got a greater influence on well-being and depression than the pain duration. The longer people are unable to work, the less likely they are to live without pain for the rest of their life. Pain duration instead does not reduce patients well-being and does not lead to a higher rate of depression. Further on, there is an interaction between well-being, depression, impairment and pain sensation. If pain is studied, it is always necessary to take into account patients well-being. Finally it is important, to re- integrate people into their usual jobs.