This Publication Is Searchable The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Section 15. Psychiatric Disorders Chapter 186. A disorder in which pain in one or more anatomic sites is exclusively or predominantly caused by psychologic factors, is the main focus of the patient's attention, and results in significant distress and dysfunction.
Pain disorder is relatively common.
Symptoms, Signs, and Diagnosis Pain associated with psychologic factors is common in many psychiatric conditions, especially mood and anxiety disorders, but in pain disorder, pain is the predominant complaint. Any part of the body may be affected, but the back, head, abdomen, and chest are probably the most common. There may be an underlying physical disorder that explains the pain but not its severity, its duration, nor the degree of resulting disability. When such a disorder is present, pain disorder associated with both psychologic factors and a physical condition is diagnosed. When it is absent, pain disorder associated with psychologic factors is diagnosed.