What to Do if Your Family Doesn’t Understand Your Pain
Jan 20, 2016
It’s tough to deal with chronic pain on your own. Having a strong base of supportive family members and friends can make dealing with the pain more bearable. But if your loved ones fail to understand what you’re going through, it can be difficult to get the support you need. Here, we are going to offer some tips if your family and friends do not seem to understand or sympathize with your pain.
Especially if you suffer from a rare chronic pain condition, your family and friends might not “get” what you’re going through. Do your best to educate them about your condition, its symptoms, and treatments. If you can’t easily explain it in your own words, find some medically sound information on the internet and send them a link. Be sure to use reputable health websites like webmd, mayoclinic, and (of course) this site.
If one of your loved ones is going out of their way to help you through your pain – let them know. Whether they’re picking you up from the hospital, driving you to get a prescription filled, or just keeping your company as you recover, explain to your family members and friends that their support means a lot to you. You may think it goes without saying, but it never hurts to say it out loud.
You can also ask your pain management physician for advice on how to explain your condition or symptoms to your family. They may have a way of breaking down the condition in a way that’s easy to understand.
As always, feel free to contact our clinic to discuss your options for pain relief. Our Minnesota pain physicians have been guiding patients to less painful lives for the past 20 years. Contact Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN to set up your appointment today.