Other patients have had RSDS symptoms migrate to other distant body parts from the initial site. And researchers found severe RSDS in a large group of children and young adults, in whom previous investigators believed symptoms were less severe. Psychosocial aspects of care are extremely important. Individual and group psychotherapy are recommended to deal with the chronic pain and disruptions in activities of daily living, sexuality, employment, and relationships. Patients need help in dealing with an uncertain future created by the disease process.
Rehabilitation is long and difficult.
The patient must learn to deal with chronic pain and disability that is disruptive to lifestyle and requires adaptations in daily living activities. These individuals may need assistance in setting realistic goals for themselves. Socioeconomic ramifications are also considerable and incapacitating aspects of the syndrome may prohibit patients from attending school or work. Hardships may be compounded when insurers refuse to compensate for extended illnesses that are not understood or properly diagnosed. No one has explained why some people develop mild cases of RSDS that respond to treatment, while others develop severe, intractable cases in which the condition progresses to affect the entire body.