Definicija i procjena duševne boli / Definition and the Assessment of Psychological Pain

Pregled istraživanja / research Review

Abstract

Psychological pain is a social issue which is highly present in societies, and can accordingly have a significant negative effect on all aspects of a person's existence with particularly harmful consequences on chronic pain, thus increasing the possibility of developing comorbid psychiatric disorders. Clinicians often tend to label the appearance of psychological symptoms as a "normal" or usual response to physical ailments. Psychological pain or suffering is not only manifested on a psychological level, nonetheless, it is usually in a certain way immanent in the body itself. As regards the physical pain, there is an evident connection between awareness of the physical spot of pain in the body and the psychological experience of pain, which is not the case when it comes to emotional pain. The aim of this paper is to systematize and classify scientific findings and knowledge about psychological pain. The paper is based on the results of contemporary research in the field of psychology and other related sciences and scientific disciplines related to social and scientific issues. Psychological assessment of pain is of great importance due to the consequences it entails – including primarily the impaired physical and psychological integrity of a person, since the mind, reason, and emotions are mainly conditioned by the normal existence of the body. Psychological assessment of pain can have significant results in applied scientific research and modern social practice.