Author:

Keywords:

reflex sympathetic dystrophy, etiopathogenesis, psychodynamics, stress-coping theory, cognitive-behavioral theory, helplessness, neurovascular dystrophy, algodystrophy, diagnosis, childhood, pain, Humans, Psychology, Social, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Anesthesiology, Clinical Neurology, Neurosciences & Neurology, REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY, ETIOPATHOGENESIS, PSYCHODYNAMICS, STRESS-COPING THEORY, COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THEORY, HELPLESSNESS, NEUROVASCULAR DYSTROPHY, ALGODYSTROPHY, DIAGNOSIS, CHILDHOOD, PAIN, 1103 Clinical Sciences, 1109 Neurosciences, 3202 Clinical sciences, 3209 Neurosciences

Abstract:

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is an enigmatic condition. Many clinicians, however, believe that psychological factors could contribute to the onset and persistence of the syndrome. In this article we critically review the evidence from psychometric and psychodynamic/biographical studies that suggests a role for such factors. An etiopathogenetic hypothesis based on the authors' clinical experience and the foregoing literature also encompasses elements of stress-coping theory, cognitive-behavioral views on chronic pain, and the psychobiological approach to sympathetic nervous system dysfunction. Implications of this model for future psychological research and the therapeutic treatment of RSD are discussed.