STUDIES ON ANXIETY ASSOCIATED WITH ANTICIPATION OF PAIN

Abstract

AS WOLFF, HARDY, AND GOODELL¹have emphasized, the potent analgesic agents, such as those of the opiate group, appear to exert their most striking effects on reactions to pain. However, the evidence available indicates that such reactions to pain as the change in skin resistance and head withdrawal are not closely related to the pain experience (Wikler²). Thus, Isbell³has shown that small doses of barbiturates may reduce markedly the change in skin resistance which follows radiant-heat stimulation. Chapman, Rose, and Solomon⁴have demonstrated that after frontal lobotomy pain is relieved and yet head-withdrawal responses to radiant-heat stimuli may actually become enhanced. However, a number of observations suggest the possibility that the anticipation of pain is an important component of the pain experience and that the primary action of potent analgesic agents is exerted upon this particular "reaction to pain." That anticipation of pain is an