Re: Digest Number 2846

[Guest guest]

Again, CPS is not the same thing as CRPS. Not the same breed of animal at all. (This is from Barbara the psychotherapist / social worker here....which I typically don't advertise but in this situation I will mention as a way of reinforcing the fact that I know about this, ok?)jaismonkey@... wrote:

In a message dated 12/8/2004 2:07:23 PM Eastern Standard Time, RSD-CRPSofAmerica writes:

be a learned behavioral syndrome that begins with a noxious stimulus thatcauses pain. This pain behavior then is rewarded externally or internally.Thus, this pain behavior is reinforced, and then it occurs without anynoxious stimulus. Internal reinforcers are relief from personal factorsassociated with many emotions (eg, guilt, fear of work, sex,responsibilities). External reinforcers include such factors as attentionfrom family members and friends, socialization with the physician,medications, compensation, and time off from work. Patients with several psychological syndromes (eg, major depression,somatization disorder, hypochondriasis, conversion disorder) are prone todeveloping CPS.

Hi Tonia,

I agree with this but for most of us the depression is secondary to the chronic pain. Had I never have had the injury I had I would not have suffered the RSD which caused the depression. My doc calls it "situational depression." Had I not been in this situation I would not have the depression. I think that this is probably true for most of us. We had full productive lives and never would have suffered depression until the dx and trying to deal with living with chronic pain. I know a lot of us have suffered loss of many things like independence, jobs, relationships, etc., the above puts the apple before the cart.

But I do appreciate the information because it is always good to get a different perspective. Thank you, Take care, Love Jai