Question

Write about psychological influences on pain perception. Specifically discuss the Gate Control Theory of Pain by Melzack and Wall (1965), analyzing factors that can open the gate and factors that can close the gate. Consider this in relation to the reading by Ressler et al. (2012), on the positive effects of blogging about chronic pain and illness. Discuss blogging in the context of psychological moderators such as stress, coping, social support, control, and personality.

Answer 1

Psychological factors such as emotional and situational factors existing while experiencing pain greatly influence our pain perception by affecting our coping stretegies.

Gate Control Theory of Pain (Melzak and Wall, 1965) was propesed keeping psychological factors in mind. This theory states that spinol cord consists of a neurological gate which blocks or allowes pain to go to the brain. Pain signals that are brought through small nerves are allowed to pass the gate while pain signals that are brought through large nerves are blocked. They stated that that a person's cognitive and emotional state can influence this neurological gate.

Cognitive factors such as consistant thoughts about pain , worrying about pain and lack of interest in out door activities can open the gate. Emotional factors that open the gate are anxiety, feeling of worthlessness and hopelessness. Cognitive factors that close the gate are thoughts regarding coping with pain and showing interest in other activities. Emotional factors that close the gate comprises sharing feelings with closed ones and spending time with friends.  

Ressler et al. (2012) reported that respodents who used bogging, showed increased contacts with others and decreased sense of isolation while dealing with chronic pian. These respondents developed a sense of purpose of helping others dealing with similar situations.

Blogging provides a plateform for chronic pain sufferes where they find social support through their increased contacts with people which enhances their coping ability (both problem focused and emotion focused) and self esteem (an important aspect of their personality) which in turn reduces their stress level and give the sufferer a sense of control over stressful situations. Thus the aforementioned psychological moderators which influence our pain perception get profoundly influenced by blogging which brings positivity in person dealing with chronic pain.