[High level of stress and immature defense make for a vicious circle in chronic pain. Patients with pain syndromes caught in unresolved crisis as a study shows].

Extended pain includes human beings of all categories and can lead to a life crisis, a high stress level and dysfunctional psychological defences that can be accompanied by difficulties within new orientation. The diagnosis of pain disorder is often undetected among patients with unspecific symptoms. This increases the risk of inadequate treatment that can contribute to maintaining a lengthy state of pain. Professional care of the patient is built on a common conception by both health and hospital staff, based on the respect for the patient's lifestyle and environment. Studies have integrated qualitative and quantitative methods in analogy with interdisciplinary sciences. Quantitative methods in the form of structured estimating instruments can show regularities in multiple dimensional patterns, whereas qualitative methods show processes based on the variables that are identified. The aim is to deepen the knowledge of thirty patients with pain syndrome in comparison with a reference group, consisting of thirty patients with recognised organic causes of pain. The results of the study conclude that patients with pain disorder have in comparison to patients with objective organically related pain, the following: An increased usage of undeveloped defences, a reduced repertoire of mastering strategies, a continuing reaction to crisis, an increased autonomic dysfunction, a greater risk of deterioration and being excluded from the workplace, a description (by the patient) of difficult traumatic events in his/her background history.