Expressing feelings of chronic pain can be difficult. If one were to just verbalize their feelings of chronic pain, it would no doubt sound like incessant complaining. Most friends and family would have a hard time dealing with such behavior. Instead, most people with chronic pain try to put on a happy face, and it works: Most people with chronic pain look perfectly normal. They are trying to fit in and live their lives, even though they may sometimes wish they were dead.
Pain treatments can improve quality of life for chronic pain sufferers, but getting the right amount of treatment is very difficult. Many patients do not want to constantly complain to their doctor in fear of being seen as lazy or just drug-seeking. Prescription drug abusers have created a stigma to seeking pain treatment. Personal pride and reluctance to using drugs are also barriers to treatment.
Because of these things, suffering with chronic pain is very frustrating. You're dammed if you talk about it, you're dammed if you don't. Verbalization of chronic pain just doesn't work.
Expressing Pain Through Art
A friend sent me a link to the Pain Exhibit, which seeks a non-verbal way to express chronic pain:
The PAIN Exhibit is an educational, visual arts exhibit from artists with chronic pain with their art expressing some facet of the pain experience. The mission of the PAIN Exhibit is to educate healthcare providers and the public about chronic pain through art; and to give voice to the many who suffer in abject silence.
Very cool.
1 comment:
Hi, SCGW,
Just found out about a month or so ago that I have a syrinx. Who knew? Not so much pain but lots of tingling and aching in my left arm and of course now that I know about it I'm starting to notice that other issues may be caused by a syrinx. Fascinating on some level, worrisome on another.
I'm 50, female, an architect and grateful to find your blog. Always wanted to be a rare bird, but now that I am...wish I wasn't.
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