What Is the Relationship between Pain and Emotion? Bridging Constructs and Communities

Abstract

Although pain is defined as a sensory and emotional experience, it is traditionally researched and clinically treated separately from emotion. Conceptual and mechanistic relationships between these constructs highlight the need for better understanding of their bi-directional influences and the value of bridging the pain and emotion research and clinical communities.

Keywords: affect; brain; chronic pain; emotion; interoception; mental health; nociception; noxious; pain; subjective experience.