Psychiatric and psychologic issues in NTOS

People with chronic pain are more likely than those without to have concomitant problems with depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. Such problems can add to the negative impact of NTOS on quality of life and greatly complicate the clinical picture. Many patients find themselves in a vicious cycle of chronic pain, emotional distress, and physical and social dysfunction. The optimal treatment approach for these patients should thus be carried out within the interdisciplinary model of chronic pain management with mental health professionals fully involved. Psychotherapeutic treatment approaches have been developed and empirically demonstrated to improve mood, function, and overall quality of life in patients with chronic pain.