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The psychopharmacologic treatment of depression and anxiety in the context of chronic pain

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Abstract

Chronic pain afflicts millions of people, commonly causing depression and anxiety. These conditions must be treated to achieve a good functional outcome from pain treatment. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclics, and newer antidepressants effectively treat both depression and selected anxiety disorders. Antidepressants with noradrenergic and serotinergic activity, and anticonvulsants, which may also stabilize mood, are effective in neuropathic pain. Other medications have limited but important pharmacotherapeutic roles.

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  1. Pain Medicine and Rehabilitation Center, Graduate Hospital, Pepper Pavilion First Floor, 1800 Lombard Street, 19146, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Sunil Verma MD & Rollin M. Gallagher MD, MPH

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  1. Sunil Verma MD
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  2. Rollin M. Gallagher MD, MPH
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Verma, S., Gallagher, R.M. The psychopharmacologic treatment of depression and anxiety in the context of chronic pain. Current Science Inc 6, 30–39 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-002-0021-x

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