[From why to what for : On the relevance of a philosophical-existentialistic approach in the treatment of patients with chronic pain].

BACKGROUND: People have the need to find explanations for the events that occur in their lives. This is especially true when it comes to experiences that impact a person's entire existence and endanger their self-esteem and sense of identity. Chronic pain is one such experience. The search for the cause behind such pain is primarily motivated by the expectation that once the cause of the pain has been identified, an effective pain-alleviating therapy should ensue. Due to the numerous advances in the last several decades towards understanding the fundamental mechanisms governing the origins and processing as well as the treatment of pain, such expectations towards medicine can frequently be met; however, in many cases the experiences of chronic pain remain difficult to explain and, above all, very difficult to manage. GOAL: In this article the authors aim to show that it is important to avoid fixation on the question of why, especially with people suffering from chronic pain.
METHOD: The article starts by describing how an exclusive orientation towards cause-effect-relationship in the medical context can also lead to negative consequences. Through recourse to the central theses of the existentialist philosopher Albert Camus, the meaning of the what for perspective is then discussed. Finally, with the example of a case study, it is illustrated how this change of perspective can result within the framework of a therapeutic treatment.
RESULTS: The following changes in perspective are recommended: the search for the past-centered why should make way for the future-oriented quest for the what for of continuing to live a life with chronic pain.