Positive attitude, thoughts can help chronic pain sufferers

Slipping and falling on the slick floor while trying to lift a heavy crate onto the freight dock left him with numerous injuries including a fractured spine. Over the next year he underwent numerous medical treatments including two surgeries on his back. The results were partially successful but his long-term prognosis included chronic pain because of some permanent damage to his low back. After six months, and several medical opinions, he began to accept the fact that he was probably never going to be completely free from pain. His treatment team recommended exercise, physical therapy, analgesic pain relievers and a healthy attitude.

A crucial fact was that his attitude would largely determine his response to all of the other treatments.

Chronic pain makes it easy to form negative thoughts and feelings. Perpetual pain often results in anger, frustration, fear, and depression. Lifestyles are often changed in individuals and families affected by chronic pain.

Examples include:

• Economic factors-cost of treatment and possible job changes which may result in deceased income.

• Reduced activity level-some changes in physical capacity and activity level may take place in the chronic pain sufferer. Hobbies, social activities, and leisure pursuits may be impacted.

• Change in relationships-the ability to lift or hold a child may have to be modified, dependency on others for assistance may occur, and changes in physical intimacy in a relationship may occur as a result of chronic pain.

Lowered self-esteem as well as feelings of helplessness and hopelessness may develop in the chronic pain sufferer, and eventually, the joy of living itself may become greatly diminished. Coping skills are continually challenged and leave many individuals chronically fatigued and unable to perform many of the daily tasks of living.

To assist the chronic pain sufferer’s change their attitude regarding their pain often entails helping them reframe their negative thoughts and feelings. These destructive thoughts and feelings can become so automatic that the pain sufferers fail to realize how frequently they occur and how debilitating they have become.

In next weeks column I will continue this discussion and provide some suggestions for coping with chronic pain.

Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 2002