Do’s and Don’ts for Living with Someone in Chronic Pain
DO NOT judge the person! Pain is not a sign of weakness or bad character.
DO acknowledge the person’s suffering.
DO NOT pretend that you don’t notice the struggle.
DO treat the person with respect.
DO NOT dwell on the future. High pain levels force the person to live in the present, so make the present pleasant. Be upbeat!
DO offer assistance. Ask what you can do to help; make a phone call, run an errand. Visit on the worst days, encourage on the better days!
DO NOT dwell on other problems. Allow togetherness time, with conversation, movie time, light topics. There is always good of some sort going on.
Sometimes the forest is truly through the trees.
DO remember the old golden rule. Think about how you would need to be supported should the situation be in reverse!
LIVE, LOVE, SHARE, LAUGH and BE: TOGETHER. (All the time, partner!)
Remember, Compassion means an awful lot, maybe more than you think!
