Dr David McGrath

Spine Physician

MB BS (Hons) FAFOM, RACP, FAFMM
Master of Pain Medicine

Emotion is a large topic. (see The Why of Emotion series of articles)
Pain and other disordered states, should not be classified as emotions. Pain does not share the same characteristics as hunger, thirst, reflective emotion, sadness, consensuality,anger, etc
Emotion is an organisation which permits a class of disturbances improving our survivability. In contrast pain, has no survival value, as it is generated by disorder. Pain, in fact, has the capacity to disrupt all of our emotions, and hence all of our being.
It is not uncommon, for people in pain, to state the following.
1. I have lost my appetite
2. I have no desire for sexual intercourse
3. I can't think
4. I can't concentrate
5. The pain is driving me mad
6. I am losing my mind
7. I can't do my work
8. I can't observe

In addition, to disrupting the expression of specific emotions, the interplay and regularity of the emotional spectrum is interfered with. Previously non dominant emotions, may become dominant. A normally placid person may become hostile, angry or aggressive. An optimistic person, may become pessimistic or saddened by life. There may be a general flattening of emotion with the onset of depression.
Many doctors or psychologists observe this phenomena, and consider the possibility of a change in emotion causing or amplifying the pain: a type of positive or vicious feedback loop.This is an area of great interest. (see cause and effect articles)
In a clinical setting, many pain sufferers are prescribed anti-depressant medication. Often, psychologists are brought in to help with "pain management " as a recognition of this association.

to be continued.