Table 1-1

Comparison of Responses to Acute and Chronic Pain


 Physiologic Response

 Fight or Flight

Includes:
 increase heart rate
 increase blood pressure
 increase pupil size
 increase muscle tension
 decrease gut motility
 decrease superficial capillar


 Psychological Response

 Anxiety

Includes:
 feeling tense, irritable, nervous
 insecure, dread, malaise, jumpy,
 excited, talkative, apprehensive


 Autonomic Responses

 Includes:
 sleep disturbances
Chronic appetite changes
 decreased libido
Pain irritability
 general withdrawal with
 weakened relationships
 increased somatic
 preoccupation


 Depression

Includes:
 insomnia, low energy, chronic
 fatigue, guilt, feeling of
 inadequacy, productivity
 decrease,
 decreased attention, social
 withdrawal, pessimistic
 attitude, less talkative,
 tearfulness


(Adapted from Sternbach, 1978)



 In this study I examined the relationship between personality type

theory as described by Jung (1971), coping styles as described by Millon

(1973), and pain expression as described by Melzak (1975). Type theory

includes an explanation of how one perceives and judges the world.

Coping styles include degrees of cooperativeness, sociability,

confidence, inhibitions, and sensitivity. Pain expression is the

magnitude of perceived pain. All of these variables are explained in

depth in the Background of the Study.


Acute

Pain