BPS Core Textbooks Series
Developed in collaboration with the British Psychological Society
Acute pain
Short term pain related to injury, tissue damage or illness, it has survival value in that itis a warning something is wrong.
Chronic pain
Pain that lasts beyond the expected recovery time and it can be a condition on its own.
Specificity theory of pain
Separate receptors and nerve pathways for different sensations.
Pattern theory of pain
Distinct types of pain are due to the pattern of impulses from nerve endings.
Gate control theory of pain
Pain signals can be modulated by a gate within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.
Dorsal horn
The location of the gate within the spinal cord that can block or permit pain signals getting to the brain.
A-delta fibres
Myelinated nerve fibres involved in fast transmission of well localised sharp pain signals.
C-fibres
Unmyelinated nerve signals that transmit pain more slowly that A delta fibres, pain is characteristically dull and diffuse.
A-beta fibres
Large diameter nerve fibres that transmit non painful signals such as touch and pressure.
Neuromatrix model of pain
Pain is not just received by the central nervous system but can be generated within the CNS itself.
Phantom limb pain
Pain that is experienced in a limb, even though it has been amputated.
Fibromyalgia
A chronic condition that is characterised by widespread pain, bodily tender points and fatigue.
Pain catastrophising
Thinking about pain in an overly exaggerated negative way.
Rumination
Repetitive thinking about the same negative thoughts or problems.
Double discrimination
Simultaneous discrimination from two sources, the general population and from within the LGBTQI+ community.
Musculoskeletal pain
Pain that originates from the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and or tendons.
Palpation
Using the hands to feel the body to detect areas of tension, imbalances which are interpreted by an Indigenous healer
Hypochondriacal
Having excessive worry of fear of having a serious illness, which may be due to interpretation of bodily symptoms.
Opioid based medication
A strong analgesic drug used to treat severe pain, which carries the risk of addiction.
Cognitive behaviour therapy
A psychotherapeutic treatment that helps people to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours.
Negative automatic thoughts
These are spontaneous thoughts that may focus on negative outcomes related to pessimism, self criticism or fear.