Managing Emotions with Chronic Pain

[PainConcernHelpline]

If you want to know more about managing stress and emotions as a chronic pain sufferer, you may be interested in a new leaflet that tackles these issues. You can download it for free here:

painconcern.org.uk/product/...

[Bananas5]

Interesting that this has come round again...the idea was pushed around 12 years ago. Many felt if patronising .

Chronic pain and depression are bed fellows and when your pain is at mark 8 plus doing anything is impossible.. Distraction does help especially if you have a caring spouse or very close friend.

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[natherly]

This makes me feel alienated and more hopeless - those aren't my problems - so fixing them won't help me.

I have asked for help repeatedly and receved so little

Why would I feel guilty that I can't do things? my body doesn't function well and it hurts - I am a hero for doing everything I do because I do it in pain.

I don't judge or criticze myself for the effect my pain has on me.

There is nothing wrong with me except that I suffer physical pain - every night and every day, its getting worse - its a massive mental burden, nothing changes that.

Advice like 'be kind to yourself' feels like gaslighting when you're waiting for months to get an appointment for the pain clinic or physio - it makes me so angry - people with pain need the basic kindness of timely access to practical help, and everyone knows we don't get that - yet we are supposed to heal ourselves with the self-compassion we allegedly lack.

[Konagirl60 in reply to natherly]

I totally agree.