PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH VARIOUS SOMATIC DISEASES AND CHRONIC PAIN

Abstract

Topicality. Understanding the psychological characteristics of patients with somatic diseases and chronic pain isthe key to developing effective treatment strategies that consider not only the physical but also the mental aspects of health. This will improve patients' quality of life, facilitate their adaptation to the disease, and increase the effectivenessof medical interventions. Objective of the study: to empirically investigate the psychological characteristics of patients with various somatic diseases and chronic pain. Materials and methods: theoretical; empirical (Giessen Subjective Complaints List (E. Brühler, J. Sner), Spielberger-Hanin State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire-15 Somatic Symptom Scale (PHQ-15) (B. Gierk, R. Spitzer, J. Williams, K. Kroenke), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) (M. Sullivan); Freiburg Personality Inventory (FPI) (J. Fahrenberg, H. Selg, R. Hampel); Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (A. Zigmond, R. Snaith); descriptive statisticsmethods. Research results. The article presents an empirical study of the psychological characteristics of patients with various somatic diseases and chronic pain. It was empirically found that the dominant manifestations in patients with chronic pain are pronounced rumination, high level of anxiety, complaints of exhaustion and rheumatic pain, and low level of stress resistance. In patients with cardiovascular diseases, there is pronounced rumination, high level of anxiety, severe cardiac complaints, exhaustion and rheumatic pain, and low level of stress resistance. In patients with diabetes, there is pronounced rumination, high level of anxiety, complaints of exhaustion, low level of stress resistance, and a feeling of helplessness is present. In patients with neurological diseases, there is pronounced rumination, high level ofanxiety, severe cardiac complaints, exhaustion, rheumatic pain, and low level of stress resistance. Patient profiles with different somatic diseases have been developed. The importance of integrating psychological support into the daily livesof patients with somatic diseases and chronic pain is emphasized. Conclusions. The results of the study will allow for a revision of approaches to the organization of treatment for patients with chronic pain and various somatic diseases, theintroduction of effective treatment strategies, and the provision of mental health support for patients with chronic pain.