@article{30239,
  keywords = {psychosocial, Psychology, Pain, multidisciplinary, leprosy, biopsychosocial},
  author = {Avila LA and Pozetti EMO and Fares GF and Soubhia RMC and Oliveira MC and Tomiyasu AY},
  title = {When Pain is Beyond Biology - A Case of Fake Leprosy},
  abstract = {<h3><strong>Background:</strong></h3>

<p>Pain is a complex phenomenon that implies pathophysiological processes and psychosocial components. A 56-year-old female patient complaining of pain and presenting with multiple mild physical signs was examined by a multidisciplinary team from the Ear-Nose-Throat, Dermatology, Hematology, General Clinics, and Psychiatry and Psychology Departments.</p>

<div>
<h3><strong>Objective:</strong></h3>

<p>To present a significant case where pain is primarily caused by psychological conflicts.</p>
</div>

<div>
<h3><strong>Method:</strong></h3>

<p>A multidisciplinary approach, with medical and psychological interventions.</p>
</div>

<div>
<h3><strong>Results:</strong></h3>

<p>The patient was deeply convinced; she had been contaminated by leprosy. Her enrooted personal beliefs, including religion and moral conflicts, seem to be the primary cause for her putative ‘disease’, a condition that was not confirmed by exhaustive exams.</p>
</div>

<div>
<h3><strong>Conclusion:</strong></h3>

<p>Pain normally is related to several factors, including biological, psychological and cultural. Some complex cases should be investigated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, in order to identify extra-physiological components.</p>
</div>
},
  year = {2017},
  journal = {The open pain journal},
  volume = {10},
  pages = {22-28},
  issn = {1876-3863},
  url = {https://benthamopen.com/contents/pdf/TOPAINJ/TOPAINJ-10-22.pdf},
  doi = {10.2174/1876386301710010022},
  language = {eng},
}