Whether initiated by injury or disease induced and sustained by changes in the nervous system or manifested by society and culture chronic pain can change oneâs first-person experience of the body and the world and ultimately impacts cognitions emotions and behavior. Many fine medical books address the causes and management of chronic intractable pain but rarely do they focus on the ways that such pain creates illness and is experienced and expressed by persons in pain. Maldynia: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on the Illness of Chronic Pain is about chronic pain that has progressed to a multidimensional illness state in and of itself. Although often dismissed as such this pain is not imaginary but rather represents an interaction of neurobiological processes emotional and behavioral responses and socio-cultural effects and reactions that become enduring elements in the life and world of the pain patient and often remain enigmatic for those who provide care. Taking a comprehensive approach that covers science humanities and culture this volume emphasizes the need for researchers clinicians and caregivers to regard the ways in which chronic intractable pain becomes illness and affects a patientâs biological social and psychological states as well as his or her sense of self. Edited by neuroscientist and neuroethicist James Giordano this book contains 17 insightful chapters representing medicine neuroscience psychology philosophy ethics history art and the ministry. This exceptional volume also looks at representations of pain in and through the arts addresses the assignation of values and meaning in pain assessment and treatment and considers ways to conjoin the sciences and humanities so as to inform the practice of pain medicine and improve the care of those suffering the illness of chronic pain. . Language: English