[Psychosomatic aspects of chronic pain syndromes. An introduction to diagnosis and therapy].

The approach to chronic pain syndromes must be an interdisciplinary one. Thereby the psychiatrist plays an important part. He participates in the diagnostic process and undertakes special therapeutic tasks. He must identify the focus of the chronic pain syndrome, diagnose psychiatric disorders and describe the context of the pain symptoms. The treatment of the psychiatric disorders and the effort to cope in a good way may positively influence the development of the chronic pain syndrome.