Pain

Depression and pain are commonly comorbid and often disabling conditions. This chapter reviews current evidence regarding the extent of comorbidity of these two conditions across different settings. The authors briefly summarize popular theories regarding the frequently disputed causal nature of the pain-depression relationship and address the implications of comorbid pain and depression with regard to treatment outcomes and symptom presentation. Additionally, key shared neurobiological substrates consistent with the symptom presentation and the covariation of pain and depression are discussed. The chapter concludes with a summary of a variety of treatment approaches currently employed in the treatment of pain and depression as well as empirical evidence concerning the efficacy of these various approaches.