I recently attended a conference where an addiction psychiatrist tried to convince a room full of medical practitioners that chronic pain is merely a mood disorder, suggesting it's all in patients' heads. The psychiatrist argued that treating chronic pain with anything other than psychotropic medications is unjustified.
However, I believe this perspective is fundamentally flawed. This approach is eerily reminiscent of how the medical community initially blamed prescription medications for the opioid crisis. In response, opioid prescriptions were slashed to 1993 levels through draconian measures, only to see the overdose rate skyrocket.
By reducing access to pain medications, many patients were left to suffer without adequate pain relief, leading some to seek relief through dangerous, illicit means. This simplistic view ignores the complex and multifaceted nature of chronic pain, which often requires a comprehensive and individualized treatment approach.
Addressing chronic pain as a mere mood disorder could lead to inadequate treatment, leaving patients in pain and at risk of further complications. It's crucial to consider the full spectrum of chronic pain management, including physical, emotional, and psychological factors, rather than relying solely on psychotropic medications.
L. Joseph Parker is a research physician.
Link in bio or visit https://kevinmd.com/podcast
#ChronicPain #PainManagement #OpioidCrisis #Healthcare #MedicalCommunity #MentalHealth #Addiction #PatientCare #PainRelief #PublicHealth
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast
RATE AND REVIEW → https://www.kevinmd.com/rate
FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM → https://www.instagram.com/kevinphomd
FOLLOW ON TIKTOK → https://www.tiktok.com/@kevinphomd
