Chronic Pain And The Family

Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting as many as 48 million people in this country alone. It can demoralize and depress both patient and family, especially when there is no effective pain control and no hope for relief. Improperly managed, chronic pain can lead to substance abuse (usually painkillers) and to acute psychological and emotional distress. Pain begets stress and stress begets pain in a wretched downward spiral. Silver reviews the causes and characteristics of chronic pain and explores its impact on individual family relationships and on the extended family, covering such issues as employment, parenting, childbearing and inheritance, and emotional health. Silver treats aspects of chronic pain not covered in a typical office visit: how men and women differ in their experience of chronic pain, the effect of chronic pain on a toddler's behavior or an older child's performance in school, the risks of dependence on and addiction to pain medications, and practical ways for relatives beyond the immediate family circle to offer help and support to the person in pain.

Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting as many as 48 million people in this country alone. It can demoralize and depress both patient and family, especially when there is no effective pain control and no hope for relief. Improperly managed, chronic pain can lead to substance abuse (usually painkillers) and to acute psychological and emotional distress. Pain begets stress and stress begets pain in a wretched downward spiral. Silver reviews the causes and characteristics of chronic pain and explores its impact on individual family relationships and on the extended family, covering such issues as employment, parenting, childbearing and inheritance, and emotional health. Silver treats aspects of chronic pain not covered in a typical office visit: how men and women differ in their experience of chronic pain, the effect of chronic pain on a toddler's behavior or an older child's performance in school, the risks of dependence on and addiction to pain medications, and practical ways for relatives beyond the immediate family circle to offer help and support to the person in pain.

Chronic pain affects every facet of a patient’s life, and nowhere is this more evident than in the complex arena of family life. Chronic Pain and Family: a Clinical Perspective examines typical family issues associated with prolonged illness, offering realistic ways to approach them in therapy. Informed by current practice and his own experience, noted author/clinician Ranjan Roy brings fresh insights to common pain scenarios and therapeutic impasses, and provides a framework for assessing marital and family relationships when chronic pain is a defining factor. Clinicians will get not only a clearer understanding of sensitive issues, but also effective strategies for engaging clients without turning them off. Coverage includes: - Meanings of pain in relationships - "Who Does What?": exploring changes in family roles - Resistance to treatment: why it occurs and how to work through it - Health concerns and other burdens on well spouses and children - Sexuality, domestic abuse, and other "silent" issues - Case examples demonstrating therapy step-by-step with a range of couples and families For therapists and social workers who deal with this growing population of patients, Chronic Pain and Family: A Clinical Perspective stands at a unique intersection of pain/disability and family resources. Roy’s recognition of the family’s changing demographics together with his synthesis of clinical knowledge make the book suitable for graduate-level courses as well.

This text explores the consequences of chronic pain on marital relationships in particular and on family functioning in general. Chronic pain which remains in considerable measure, impervious to treatment, exacts a heavy toll from the chronic pain patient and his family members.

“An important, compassionate book.” — Deepak Chopra “Parents! If you hava child in pain, read this book. There is hope.” — James Campbell, M.D., Professor of Jeurological Surgery and Director, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Founder and President, American Pain Foundation “An outstanding book for parents of children and adolescents with chronic pain. I recommend it highly.” — Charles Berde, M.D., Ph.D., Chief, Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital, Boston; Professor of Anaesthesia and Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School “A valuable and important book that will be appreciated by every family struggling with a child in pain.” — Neil L. Schechter, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine; Director, Pain Relief Program, Connecticut Children's Medical Center “Reassuring and informative. Parents will gain hope when they discover the many available treatment options.” — Kenneth R. Goldschneider, M.D., F.A.A.P., Director, Division of Pain Management, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Susmita Kashikar-Zuck, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center “I hope Dr. Zeltzer continues to do subjective research on yoga so that the young generation regains freedom from pain...” — B.K.S. Iyengar “A wonderful book! Dr. Zeltzer’s approach is loving, respectful, upbeat, and best of all - successful.” — Laura Schanberg, M.D., Associate Professor, Pediatric Rheumatology, Duke University Medical Center “A must-read for any patient with chronic pain.” — Steven J. Weisman, M.D., Jane B. Pettit Chair in Pain Management, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin; Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin “Now [Dr. Zeltzer’s] wisdom is available to all.” — Patrick J. McGrath, O.C., Ph.D., F.R.S.C., Canadian Institutes of Health Research Distinguished Scientist; Killam Professor of Psychology and Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Dalhousie University “This is an amazingly caring, competent, and useful book. It opens your mind but also your heart...” — Vanna Axia, Ph.D., Professor of Developmental Psychology, Child Neuro-psychiatry Specialization School, School of Medicine; Director “All [Dr. Zeltzer’s] work has resulted in real solutions for children and their parents.” — David Geffen “One of the few [books] for laypeople on chronic pain in children.” — Washington Post “Informative, practical, and well written.” — Pediatric Pain Letter

Clear, straightforward explanations of concepts inform and educate in a way that is easy to understand.