Coping with chronic pain: A stress-appraisal coping model

Abstract

All individuals with chronic pain are not alike. Some bring to the table a full cadre of adaptive coping strategies, while others seem to languish in a sea of despair, helplessness, and hopelessness. One distinguishing factor in these two outcomes may be in the choice of coping strategies which are implemented in attempts to live with unrelenting pain. There is ample empirical evidence that beliefs and appraisals underlie the choice of coping responses, and thus affect the overall level of impairment or disability that is experienced by the individual. Regardless of choice of appproaches, the ultimate goal for any painmanagement intervention should be to promote pain self-management to ensure that individuals with chronic pain maximize the resources that they have. Perhaps they will be encouraged to add a few new skills, which will allow them to move from an endless pursuit of a cure toward a mindset of acceptance and living a full life, despite having pain. Relinquishing the identity of being an "individual with chronic pain" (Point A) and claiming the identity of a "well person with pain" (Point B) underlie the ultimate success of pain treatment. Nevertheless, helping the individual with chronic pain move from Point A to Point B is no small therapeutic challenge. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.