HYPERVIGILANCE: THE INTERACTION OF PSYCHOBIOLOGY AND COGNITION

       Both laboratory studies and clinical data point to increased pain responsiveness in women. While biological factors are likely contributing factors to these effects, a number of psychological ones related to hypervigilance (monitoring, symptom attribution, and coping style) seem to play a more important role. Studies of fibromyalgia and temporomandibular pain and dysfunction syndrome, which disproportionately affect women, suggest that differential patterns of pain inhibition, stress reactivity, plasticity, and cognitive performance may help explain the sizeable disparity in pain presentation and behavior.