Pain Amplification Syndromes

Predicting suicidal ideation in adolescents with chronic amplified pain: The roles of depression and pain duration.

“…Amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS), or “amplified pain,” encompasses a spectrum of idiopathic chronic pain disorders, such as fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and myofascial pain, characterized by disproportionate (“amplified”) pain, and usually disproportionate disability as well (Kashikar-Zuck, Vaught, Goldschneider, Graham, & Miller, 2002; Sherry, 2015). Although these diagnostic subtypes of AMPS differ in regards to some specific symptoms (e.g., overt autonomic symptoms in CRPS, diffuse pain in fibromyalgia), all AMPS subtypes share common and consistent features in presentation and treatment, such as allodynia (sensitivity to light touch), functional disability, and dynamic manifestations of pain over the course of treatment (Sherry, 2015). Furthermore, many children present with symptoms of multiple AMPS subtypes, and relapses of pain may manifest as a different subtype than observed initially (Sherry, 2015).…”

“…Although these diagnostic subtypes of AMPS differ in regards to some specific symptoms (e.g., overt autonomic symptoms in CRPS, diffuse pain in fibromyalgia), all AMPS subtypes share common and consistent features in presentation and treatment, such as allodynia (sensitivity to light touch), functional disability, and dynamic manifestations of pain over the course of treatment (Sherry, 2015). Furthermore, many children present with symptoms of multiple AMPS subtypes, and relapses of pain may manifest as a different subtype than observed initially (Sherry, 2015). Prior research has found that psychosocial factors impact the majority of adolescents with AMPS (Sherry & Malleson, 2002; Sherry et al, 1991; Sherry & Weisman, 1988), though the data available on suicidality in youth with AMPS are limited.…”