I had the same issue and may have posted about it, but for me it took a whole year while it gradually got better after accepting that it was mental (and only then after a doctor did a whole batter of tests and actually investigated the issue, and came up with nothing).

Glad it worked out for you. But I have to ask: What if it wasn't mental and was a symptom of a deeper issue in the body that needs diagnosis?

I mean when should you bet on the pain being a mental issue? My worry is that if I bet wrongly it could have dire outcomes later.

Not a doctor, but I would be worried if there are other similar symptoms elsewhere in the body, or if your injured wrist had an sudden/forceful injury recently (eg falling down and breaking your wrist type, not a gradual buildup/repetitive injury). Chronic damage/injury is definitely a concern but it won't get worse by itself without something else. But going to the GP/family doctor isn't a bad idea at all.

Right, that's why I was only ready to believe it after the doctor did the battery of tests. The checks were very thorough: nerves, vascular system, blood tests, etc. They took a week, and I received diagnoses from doctors of two specialties which were reviewed together.

Possibly, but I'm sure others have experienced something similar, given I learnt about this from another coder posting the same experience.

Thank you for posting your comment. I don’t have proper rsi yet but a few years ago I wasn’t far from it.

No worries. When I first read about it from someone else sharing the exact same experience I had, it completely changed my life.

So it's only fair I share my knowledge and pass it on so others can hopefully get the relief they need.