Living with pain daily is life for millions of people throughout the world. We wake up with it. Go to sleep with it. It’s there, affecting everything we do in life. Chronic pain is common. It’s not a rare condition that few people know about. However, it is a condition that’s not well understood. Chronic pain is complex.
This September, during Pain Awareness Month 2025, the IASP (the International Association for the Study of Pain) will highlight topics such as pain management and training the next generation of pain professionals. I hope they also discuss how complicated chronic pain is. And I hope that they recognise the struggles people have when they live with pain.
Chronic Pain Is Complex
People feel pain differently. How the pain reacts to treatment varies too. And how each person copes with their pain is different.
Chronic pain is extremely complex. And living with it is even more complex because the pain often brings other symptoms and a whole load of emotional baggage to the party.
I’ve written the following statement many times in my blog –
“Living with chronic pain, isn’t just about living with pain.”
The fatigue that pain brings is beyond comprehension. Then there’s the loneliness and hopelessness. Stress, anxiety and depression.
People living with pain might not be able to carry out normal household chores or take part in family activities. That often leads to overwhelming feelings of frustration and guilt.
They might need assistance to shower, dress, or even go to the toilet. That is obviously embarrassing and can be demeaning. They might feel ashamed and feel as though they have lost their dignity.
If people can’t work due to their pain, they may not be able to contribute to the household income, which can sometimes make them feel as though they are a burden to their families and to society. They might feel worthless and empty.
Chronic pain can easily change who we are. It comes into our lives and steals so much from us – our energy, our social lives, our incomes, and our self-worth. It is a thief.
Management of Chronic Pain Is Also Complex
There’s no magic cure for chronic pain. Some pain medication might bring relief to some people. But sometimes it might not even make a difference. And some pain medications can cause other health problems too.
Pain management should involve more than just a prescription for pain medication. Doctors need to listen…really listen to their patients. They need to understand what pain is doing to their lives. And they need to help their patients overcome those symptoms like anxiety and depression. By doing this, their patient’s quality of life will improve.
That’s how it should be. But it rarely works like that. Most chronic pain sufferers struggle, unable to get the help and support they need. Doctors can’t or don’t take the time to really listen. And if they don’t listen, they can’t help.
Imagine Living In a Different World
Try to imagine living in a world where doctors took the time to listen and try to understand how their patients feel. Imagine living in a world where those doctors provided much-improved pain management so that their patients didn’t struggle in the same way.
If you are living with pain, that’s probably too hard to imagine.
Let’s hope that the IASP can work together this month to make a difference.
You Are Worthy
If you are struggling today, please know that you are not alone. Reach out to someone. Try to make them listen. Tell them how you are feeling.
You don’t deserve to be living with pain. You deserve better.
Try to learn to love yourself because you are worthy of that.
Thank you so much for reading.
If this post resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
And feel free to share it with your friends or support groups.
Take care,
Liz.
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