Catastrophizing thinking towards itch and pain in chronic itch patients

Abstract

Pain catastrophizing (PC) represents cognitions toward pain which encompass both appraisal which constitutes that pain is horrifying, and difficulties in recruiting positive coping mechanisms. Higher PC is also associated with greater risk for chronic pain disorders. The pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) comprises three dimensions: rumination, magnification and helplessness; encompassing cognitive representations associated with pain. Similarly, itch has an inherently aversive component which may be shaped by catastrophizing thinking.