Psychogenic/idiopathic pain syndromes.

The concept of psychogenic pain is discussed and reviewed from multiple theoretical perspectives. The validity of psychogenic pain disorder as a clinical diagnosis is also examined, as are regional pain syndromes such as psychogenic abdominal, facial, pelvic, chest, and headache pain. The term "psychogenic pain" is considered to have limited clinical or diagnostic usefulness and the preferred term "idiopathic pain syndrome" used in DSM-III-R is advocated.