The psychological aspects of pain include the emotional and social factors that contribute to chronic pain and the experience of pain conditions ranging from osteoarthritis to fibromyalgia.

Several factors have been identified that place a person at a higher risk of developing chronic pain, including a history of substance abuse, job dissatisfaction and a history of psychological abuse. Depression, anxiety or sleep disorders can contribute to, be a symptom of or result from a number of pain conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and migraines. People with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus may experience issues with body image.

The psychological aspects of pain may be evaluated during a pain assessment or clinical interview where a physician may inquire about the nature of the pain experienced and the patient’s psychiatric history and mental status. Some patients are asked to fill out a questionnaire, which is designed to obtain similar types of information.

The psychological aspects of pain can be treated in several ways, such as medication and therapy. Medications may include antidepressants, tranquilizers or anticonvulsants.