Or an inattentive spouse may give loving care to their injured wife. This is so positive that when the injury is healed the learned behaviors are continued. This usually develops from internal conflicts that have never been resolved. Psychiatric problems such as schizophrenia and conversion disorders may cause a person to develop pain. The effects of chronic pain depend on behavioral and sociological factors. .
Sleep disturbances are the most common complaint of chronic pain patients.
Falling asleep is difficult because they can't get comfortable and the pain seems more severe when there are no distractions. One of the men in our group reports that to help him fall asleep, he puts his favorite music in a walkman. Then he places the earphones slightly away from his ears. He has to pay attention to hear the music which distracts him from the pain. Once having fallen asleep, many chronic pain patients report waking almost hourly and getting up very early in the morning.