Comorbid Pain and PTSD: Integrating Research and Practice with MVC Survivors

Following a serious motor vehicle crash (MVC), an individual may develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as chronic pain. To date, little work has been done that can empirically guide practitioners with an evidence-based approach for psychological interventions in this population. Issues related to the changing definitions of PTSD and ways in which we conceptualize pain-related concerns are discussed, with implications for understanding the complex interrelationships between these two conditions. Theoretical and practical understanding of the common processes which contribute to the comorbidity of PTSD and pain is shared, along with information regarding assessment and applications from the limited treatment literature. Suggestions drawn from clinical practice are offered regarding assessment and treatment for individuals diagnosed with PTSD and pain in a MVC population.