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Misdiagnosis of chronic pain as hysteria and malingering

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Abstract

Chronic soft tissue pain disorders are not well understood from a pathophysiologic standpoint. Psychologic difficulties are common, clinical signs incompatible with conventional understanding of the nervous system are often present, and these disorders usually fail to respond to medical intervention.When this constellation of factors is combined with unresolved litigation-compensation issues, it is not surprising that chronic pain disorders are often misdiagnosed as hysteria or malingering. Unfortunately, these diagnoses may have significant negative consequences that are not often appreciated and may compromise treatment.

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Shapiro, A.P., Teasell, R.W. Misdiagnosis of chronic pain as hysteria and malingering. Current Review of Pain 2, 19–28 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-998-0059-5

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