Catastrophizing Presents Challenges in Chronic Pain Patients

Physicians should also be aware of their own personal psychology when dealing with catastrophizing patients, because catastrophizing personalities are not confined to the patient world. Physicians who are catastrophizers may inadvertently increase a patient’s perception of suffering. “Some of our research suggests that if you’re a catastrophizer you see 30% more pain in these individuals,” he said, and this could impact a physician’s decisions about treatment intervention as well their advice surrounding acceptance.

The speakers did not declare any conflicts of interest.