1/ #Blame #shame #language & #chronicpain. I’ve been reflecting a lot on the way language is utilized around chronic pain & how it can reinforce feelings of blame & shame. My husband had #pancreascancer besides a #Whipple, chemo and radiation he became more strict
2/ with diet (imo he already was strict) he added increased vitamins went on depression meds examined faith sought counseling. My point, he did multiple things in attempt to address his overall health. No one would suggest that going on depression meds seeing a counselor
3/ would alone address his #pancreascancer we just wanted a comprehensive approach to his health. That’s the same thing I want for my kids’ health issues as well as #chronicpain. I think & this is just my ho that language used by those working in area of pain causes a HUGE
4/ barrier. For example ‘catastrophising’ I really hate this word. Would any physician or med personnel use that word w an ind who had pancreas cancer? No, there is the realization that the person is facing very scary things. Focus would be on wrapping supplementary
5/ care around the person. People w #chronicpain face very scary realities yet that word ‘catastrophizing’ is slipped on in there. Rather than understanding the fears are understandable the lang used in this instance (imho) is shaming. Of course a person is worried,
6/ scared. To me, it be concerning if a person didn’t demonstrate concern or grief. Instead of offering care that is supplementary it often feels that those (some) working in area of pain turn on head to use as ‘cause’. Let me be clear, I DO believe emotional, physical
7/ psych all impact each other - that’s not shameful that’s how imo all illnesses can be. Some people don’t need supplementary supports others do. I also think that often here on Twitter we can forget there is a huge range of pain; types, durations etc. Some of the
8/ psychology treatments will never cure someone w severe #chronicpain. On the other hand, the utilization of virtual reality, in painful procedures (administrating IVs to child) can serve as an amazing distraction and lessen trauma. That’s IMPORTANT, that’s needed
9/ it also may be beneficial for other types of pain. My daughter uses coloring and applying makeup as a distraction to help. Does that mean she doesn’t need meds, no. Honestly would not be able to do it wo meds. She IS attempting various things right now w physicians 2
10/ try to lessen amount of pain meds she takes. With the variations of types of pain, durations etc I think it’s so critical to have access to multiple modalities and use a mix. I DO believe that language and current climate is a barrier. What person w pain, no matter
11/ type would not be concerned? I get calls from people in my community all the time re access to care for pain. Many people wo chronic pain have contacted me in fear of going into surgery and won’t have access to pain control. Is THIS ‘catastrophizing’? No, it’s a reality
12/ physicians and psychologist must look at their role in increasing the fear of those w chronic pain as well as those who may face acute pain. Inds w complex health issues and chronic pain HAVE been let down. It’s NORMAL they would not be open to try multiple modalities when
13/ when a tx has provided QoL and yanked away ‘for own good’. I’ve seen a pain doc on here pathologizing such behaviors. Sorry, no it’s quite normal people would be distraught when the thing that has provided QoL has been yanked away. Instead of pathologizing it’s NORMAL
14/ we need to 🛑 using language that shames those w pain. Lots of medical language does that. We need to eradicate the stigma surrounding those w chronic pain. Being scared about future, grieving life once had is NORMAL. The guidelines, PROP so many things have made
15,The situations so much more difficult for those who have pain. Individualized care is where it’s at. Understanding the realities of pain and its impacts is important - this is NOT catastrophizing this IS realities. Lots of trauma done by lots of professionals.
16/ there are those professionals out there who have been Godsends. I am so appreciative of all of you. I am so appreciative of those that have pain that fight for the rights of others. Pain is real. Pain impacts our lives. When helping someone in pain acknowledging that
17/ is powerful. #LanguageMatters
