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Frisch S, Walter S, Rebhann V, Gruss S, Geisel D, Bär KJ, Gündel H, Lane RD, Smith R. Unconscious Activation of Negative Emotional Memories Increases Pain Unpleasantness. Psychosom Med 2024; 86:580-590. [PMID: 38666650 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The influence of unconscious emotional processes on pain remains poorly understood. The present study tested whether cues to forgotten unpleasant images might amplify pain (i.e., in the absence of conscious recall). METHODS Seventy-two healthy female adults (19 to 34 years) performed an adapted Think/No-think paradigm (T/NT) using 72 combinations of neutral face images (cues) paired with 36 neutral and 36 unpleasant images. After completion of the T/NT task, cues associated with forgotten neutral or unpleasant images were identified. Cues to either neutral or unpleasant images from the NT condition were then presented in randomized order while participants received intermediate-level thermal pain stimulation on the left hand. Ratings of both pain intensity and unpleasantness were acquired after each trial. RESULTS Mean pain unpleasantness ratings were greater during presentation of cues to forgotten negative versus neutral images (5.52 [SD = 2.06] versus 5.23 [SD = 2.10]; p = .02). This pattern was also present when comparing cues to remembered negative versus neutral images (5.62 [SD = 1.94] versus 5.04 [SD = 1.90]; p < .001). Mean pain intensity ratings were higher for cues to negative versus neutral images when remembered (5.48 [SD = 1.79] versus 5.00 [SD = 1.69]; p < .001), but not when forgotten (5.27 [SD = 1.96] versus 5.16 [SD = 1.93]; p = .30). CONCLUSIONS Using an adapted T/NT-Pain paradigm, this study demonstrated that cues to nonrecallable (but potentially unconsciously activated) negative emotional memories amplify pain unpleasantness, similar to known effects of conscious negative emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Frisch
- From the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Divison Medical Psychology (Frisch, Walter, Rebhann, Gruss, Geisel), and Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy (Frisch, Gündel), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy (Bär), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany; Department of Psychiatry (Lane), University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; and Laureate Institute for Brain Research (Smith), Tulsa, Oklahoma
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Lane RD, Smith R. Levels of Emotional Awareness: Theory and Measurement of a Socio-Emotional Skill. J Intell 2021; 9:42. [PMID: 34449662 PMCID: PMC8395748 DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence9030042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotional awareness is the ability to conceptualize and describe one's own emotions and those of others. Over thirty years ago, a cognitive-developmental theory of emotional awareness patterned after Piaget's theory of cognitive development was created as well as a performance measure of this ability called the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS). Since then, a large number of studies have been completed in healthy volunteers and clinical populations including those with mental health or systemic medical disorders. Along the way, there have also been further refinements and adaptations of the LEAS such as the creation of a digital version in addition to further advances in the theory itself. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the evolving theoretical background, measurement methods, and empirical findings with the LEAS. The LEAS is a reliable and valid measure of emotional awareness. Evidence suggests that emotional awareness facilitates better emotion self-regulation, better ability to navigate complex social situations and enjoy relationships, and better physical and mental health. This is a relatively new but promising area of research in the domain of socio-emotional skills. The paper concludes with some recommendations for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D. Lane
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona, 1501 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Ryan Smith
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, 6655 South Yale Ave., Tulsa, OK 74136, USA;
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Dzirlo L, Richter F, Steinmair D, Löffler-Stastka H. Reflective Functioning in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Non-Affective Psychosis and Affective Disorders-Differences and Similarities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18052780. [PMID: 33803368 PMCID: PMC7967285 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as part of the functional somatic syndromes, is frequent in the general population. Medical care and morbidity costs are high, and so is the psychological and somatic strain. The etiopathogenesis of IBS is still poorly understood; it is assumed to be multifactorial and to include biopsychosocial factors. Links between the intestine, psyche, nervous system (e.g., via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-Axis/neurotransmitters) and with the microbiome, the immune system have lately been investigated. Factors such as personality traits, mentalization, and early attachment strategies (deactivating and hyperactivating) have been suggested to influence IBS with relevance for treatment regimens. At this time, data on reflective functioning (RF) is lacking. Within a cross-sectional, we examined the mentalizing capacity of a clinical sample (n = 90) consisting of patients with IBS (n = 30), affective disorders (AD; n = 28), and non-affective psychosis (NAP; n = 32). The reflective functioning scale was used based on the brief reflective function interview (BRFI). The results revealed severe impairment in patients with IBS concerning their mentalizing ability, which was comparable to patients with affective disorders. Patients with non-affective-psychosis showed the lowest mentalizing ability. Thus, psychotherapeutic treatment with a focus on mentalization could be a promising approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Dzirlo
- Department of Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Schwestern, 1060 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Felix Richter
- Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (F.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Dagmar Steinmair
- Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (F.R.); (D.S.)
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3500 Krems, Austria
| | - Henriette Löffler-Stastka
- Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (F.R.); (D.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-(0)1-40400-30700
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Lumley MA, Krohner S, Marshall LM, Kitts TC, Schubiner H, Yarns BC. Emotional awareness and other emotional processes: implications for the assessment and treatment of chronic pain. Pain Manag 2021; 11:325-332. [PMID: 33533272 DOI: 10.2217/pmt-2020-0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotional awareness (EA) is a key emotional process that is related to the presence and severity of chronic pain (CP). In this report, we describe primary and secondary emotions, discuss the distinction between emotional states and emotional regulation/processing, and summarize theory and research highlighting the significance of EA for CP. We describe ways to assess EA and diagnose centrally-mediated CP, for which emotional processes appear most relevant. We review several psychological interventions designed to enhance EA as well as several broader emotional processing treatments developed to address trauma and psychosocial conflicts underlying many patients' pain. We conclude by offering our perspective on how future integration of emotional processing into pain care could promote recovery from CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Lumley
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Shoshana Krohner
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Liyah M Marshall
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Torran C Kitts
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Howard Schubiner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ascension Providence Hospital, Southfield, MI, & Department of Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, Southfield, MI 48075, USA
| | - Brandon C Yarns
- Department of Mental Health, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, & Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Drukker M, Peters JCH, Vork L, Mujagic Z, Rutten BPF, van Os J, Masclee AAM, Kruimel JW, Leue C. Network approach of mood and functional gastrointestinal symptom dynamics in relation to childhood trauma in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and comorbid panic disorder. J Psychosom Res 2020; 139:110261. [PMID: 33038815 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has a high comorbidity with mental disorders. The present paper aims to visualise the interplay between IBS and affect (anxiety and mood) in daily life. Furthermore, this interplay may be different depending on risk factors such as childhood trauma. METHODS Using momentary assessment (Experience Sampling Method), data of 24 individuals diagnosed with both IBS and panic disorder were analysed (15 non-trauma and 9 low-trauma-score patients). Networks were constructed, based on multilevel time-lagged linear regression analysis. Regression coefficients present network connections including three negative affect items (down, irritated, rushed), three positive affect items (happy, enthusiastic, cheerful), three abdominal complaints (abdominal pain, bloating, nausea) and one social item (feeling lonely). Those networks were stratified by levels of childhood trauma based on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. RESULTS Connections within the group of mood items and within the group of abdominal complaints were more frequent than between abdominal complaints and mood items. When data were stratified by childhood trauma, networks were different. In addition, node strengths were stronger in low-trauma than in non-trauma, although only one was significantly different (enthusiastic). Overall, there were mainly non-significant connections and a clear pattern was not visible. CONCLUSIONS A time-lagged network provides additional insight in connections between abdominal complaints and affective complaints, in patients with IBS and panic disorder, with different levels of childhood trauma. More research is needed to gain a better understanding of symptom formation and the impact of variation in context on individual symptom experiences in IBS with affective comorbidity. Baseline data of a clinical trial: NCT01551225 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Drukker
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and NeuroScience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Jill C H Peters
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and NeuroScience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Lisa Vork
- Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Zlatan Mujagic
- Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Bart P F Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and NeuroScience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Jim van Os
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and NeuroScience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's Health Partners, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ad A M Masclee
- Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Joanna W Kruimel
- Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Carsten Leue
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and NeuroScience (MHeNS), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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Aaron RV, Finan PH, Wegener ST, Keefe FJ, Lumley MA. Emotion regulation as a transdiagnostic factor underlying co-occurring chronic pain and problematic opioid use. AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST 2020; 75:796-810. [PMID: 32915024 PMCID: PMC8100821 DOI: 10.1037/amp0000678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a common and costly condition, and some people with chronic pain engage in problematic opioid use. There is a critical need to identify factors underlying this co-occurrence, so that treatment can be targeted to improve outcomes. We propose that difficulty with emotion regulation (ER) is a transdiagnostic factor that underlies the co-occurrence of chronic pain and problematic opioid use (CP-POU). In this narrative review, we draw from prominent models of ER to summarize the literature characterizing ER in chronic pain and CP-POU. We conclude that chronic pain is associated with various ER difficulties, including emotion identification and the up- and down-regulation of both positive and negative emotion. Little research has examined ER specifically in CP-POU; however, initial evidence suggests CP-POU is characterized by difficulties with ER that are similar to those found in chronic pain more generally. There is great potential to expand the treatment of ER to improve pain-related outcomes in chronic pain and CP-POU. More research is needed, however, to elucidate ER in CP-POU and to determine which types of ER strategies are optimal for different clinical presentations and categories of problematic opioid use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel V Aaron
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Patrick H Finan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Stephen T Wegener
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Francis J Keefe
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University
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Lane RD. The construction of emotional experience: State‐related emotional awareness and its application to psychotherapy research and practice. COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/capr.12331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard D. Lane
- Department of Psychiatry University of Arizona Tucson AZ USA
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Smith R, Lane RD, Parr T, Friston KJ. Neurocomputational mechanisms underlying emotional awareness: Insights afforded by deep active inference and their potential clinical relevance. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:473-491. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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