Thread by @purplemamabear

#PathologizingPain
#ChronicPain is the most prevalent health issue for Americans, yet, there is a lack of acknowledgment of the impact of pain on individuals QoL as well as access to quality options available. The last several years we have seen a proliferation of 1/

psychological strategies be touted as solutions for both #chronicpain & #acutepain. This has been fostered by the #CDC guidelines as well as various independent groups. As an individual who works in the area of mental health I am alarmed at the amount of #gaslighting that 2/

to those with #chronicpain & the belief by many physicians & professionals that psychological strategies will alleviate #chronicpain as a stand-alone strategy. I DO believe that psychological strategies CAN be of benefit addressing pain, but, how #pain is being #pathologized 3/

by certain groups will and has most definitely deterred those who experience #chronicpain to shun these strategies. It’s absolutely understandable. I believe that each patient must have individualized care for their #chronicpain, however what is being seen is the one size fits 4/

all. It doesn’t. We are also seeing pain physicians move totally away from #opioid #pain #medicine & house psychologist in their office as part of team. AGAIN I do believe that psychological strategies can be of benefit to some. I also believe #opioids can. Unless #pain 5/

psychologists step up & voice their concern of the pathologizing of #pain, patients will be unwilling (and rightfully so) to access this as part of the toolbox 🧰. This is so critical! I have tweeted about my own children’s experience at a #pain clinic. It was one size fits 6/

all. It was very shaming. I was told, my children were told not to talk about pain or other health issues. Everyone that came in was titrated from #pain medications. There was some excellent classes and strategies presented but due to their approach, their unwillingness to 7/

tailor care it was unsuccessful & harmful. I wrongly assumed I had failed. I didn’t, neither did my kids. This program failed. The one size fits all failed, the pathologizing of #pain failed. When you have ANY #chronicIllness there will be a psychological component AND 8/

that is #Normal. What is harming is the all encompassing belief, and this is so prevalent, that #pain originated out of some unresolved trauma. My kids had a genetic disease, we trusted doctors, doctors are not always right, they are humans. The #trauma they experience is DUE 9/

their medical journeys. This is a call to all #painpsychologists all those that work in area of #chronicpain, stand up to those attempting to pathologize #pain, work with patients, work with families in order to improve care, don’t ‘do unto’ do ‘with’. 10/

The lack of trust by #patients & by #caregivers is justifiable. There is so much more we need to learn about #pain but it must be done together 11/ #CPP #NEISvoid #AtTheTable