A recent article found on CNN.com talked about how living with chronic pain can hurt personal relationships. Michael E. Geisser, a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan, states in the article, “It has been shown that relationships in which one partner has chronic pain tend to be more strained, have more marital distress, more conflict, and a greater likelihood for divorce.”
Those living with chronic pain know how truly debilitating it can be. It can keep you from doing simple things like going to the grocery store, playing with your kids, going to a social event or even working. It is not uncommon for emotional health problems, like depression or anxiety, to accompany physical pain.
In addition, the reality for a number of people is that addiction to the prescribed medications to treat chronic pain can occur. The stress of the chronic pain itself can lead many sufferers to abuse alcohol and/or drugs to help mask the physical and emotional pain.
Crossroads (Maine) believes that effective pain management should take a holistic approach, addressing mind, body and spirit. At Kennebunk Counseling Center, we work with our clients’ pain management specialist to coordinate a treatment plan tailored to her specific and unique needs. This can mean working one-on-one with one of our licensed counselors, coming in with your spouse for couples counseling, or attending a group therapy session with other women in similar situations. For more information, call 207.467.3369.
