Chronic pain is one of those issues where only those suffering from it will understand the mental and emotional toll it takes on you. There are many different diseases that can lead to chronic pain.
While this article is not going to delve into the type of pain caused by the different diseases, it will look at the emotional effects of such debilitating pain. There’s no denying the fact that when your daily life is more difficult because of pain, there will come a point in time where you’re depressed, angry and just feel like giving up.
Even the most strong-willed person will feel down every now and then. It’s inevitable because the pain is with you all the time on a daily basis. You feel like a prisoner trapped in a body that lacks the freedom to do what it wants when it wants.
If you let the pain and misery get to you without finding a way to de-stress, you may end up feeling dejected and you’ll lose your passion for life. The first step is to have a journal where you record how you feel and what you do on a daily basis.
This will increase your self-awareness and you’ll start seeing patterns in your life. Some of the foods you eat may exacerbate your pain. Some of the activities you do may actually leave you feeling better the next day.
For example, if you had ice cream and desserts the day before, your chronic pain may feel worse the following day because the sugar has inflamed your body.
However, if you watched a comedy or went to the beach the previous day, your pain might be less severe today because your body is less stressed out.
You’d only realize this if you have a journal to monitor your feelings and body. Having a written record allows you to observe thought patterns and feelings. Your sense of self is very important for coping with chronic pain.
Another point to note is that you are NOT alone. There are millions of people around the world with chronic pain. You may feel alone if you’re the only one in your family who has chronic pain. Your friends may not have it either. So, your feeling of loneliness while seeming real, is only an illusion.
It’s not your fault and you’re definitely not the only one with it. You may wish to speak to a close family member or a counsellor. Having someone to talk to can bring about relief. The mere act of venting your frustrations gives you an outlet to release pent up anger.
Only by releasing the negative energy can you make room for positive energy. As cliché as it may sound, watching videos of motivational speakers can help to lift your spirits.
Videos of the Paralympics can also be very uplifting. Watching people who are handicapped or have lost their limbs but trying to do their best will inspire you to do the same.
While you may have chronic pain, there will still be activities that you can do. Speak to your doctor and see what activities are suitable for you.
Don’t let pain put a damper on your life. The less attention you pay to it, the better. While it will be there, do not let it be in control of you. Take heart and keep going.