24.10.08 - Psychological features play possible role in CRPS
CRPS-1 can have a very profound impact on someone’s life. TREND tries to find the physical causes of the disease. Apart from the physical factors psychological factors could also play a role in CRPS-1. Reedijk and others studied the psychological features of patients who suffered from a chronic form of CRPS-1, including a severe form of dystonia.
Psychological factors might play a rol in causing CRPS, or rather be the effect of the disease and its limmitations. Anxiety disorders are regularly found among CRPS patients.
Compared to the general population the CRPS patients had elevated scores on somatoform dissociation, traumatic experiences and general psychopathology.
In conclusion, it seems probable that psychological factors have an influence on CRPS.