The Family And Chronic 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.

"Madeline is a 15-year-old girl with abdominal pain and headaches that occur most days of the week. Because of her pain, she has missed 99 days of school this year and is no longer able to play volleyball. Her parents have taken her to see a number of specialists and she has tried many different medications but she has not experienced any improvement in her pain..." Chronic pain is a significant health problem for many children and adolescents, with studies suggesting that as many as 40% of children suffer from chronic pain. Unfortunately, many families cannot get the help they need because they live too far from children's hospitals with pediatric pain clinics, where most healthcare providers in this specialized area are based. Managing Your Child's Chronic Pain is a resource for parents to learn how to help their children and families cope with persisting pain using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The easy-to-do psychological treatment strategies in this resource provide parents with practical instructions in CBT for pain management. With guidance on how to prevent relapse, maintain improvements, and prevent future problems with pain and disability, Managing Your Child's Chronic Pain will empower parents to take a hands-on approach to relieving their child's pain"--

“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

Chronic pain includes many types of conditions from a variety of causes. This book is designed to help those suffering from chronic pain learn to better manage pain so they can get on with living a satisfying, fulfilling life. This resource stresses four concepts: each person with chronic pain is unique, and there is no one treatment or approach that is right for everybody; there are many things people with chronic pain can do to feel better and become more active and involved in life; with knowledge and experimentation, each individual is the best judge of which self-management tools and techniques are best for him or her; and, the responsibility for managing chronic pain on a daily basis rests with the individual and no one else. Acknowledging that overcoming chronic pain is a daily challenge, this workbook provides readers with the tools to overcome that test. A Moving Easy Program CD, which offers a set of easy-to-follow exercises that can be performed at home, is also included.

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.

Comfort, understanding, and advice for those who are suffering--and those who care for them. Chronic illness creates many challenges, from career crises and relationship issues to struggles with self-blame, personal identity, and isolation. Beloved author Toni Bernhard addresses these challenges and many more, using practical examples to illustrate how mindfulness, equanimity, and compassion can help readers make peace with a life turned upside down. In her characteristic conversational style, Bernhard shows how to cope and make the most of life despite the challenges of chronic illness. Benefit from: • Mindfulness exercises to mitigate physical and emotional pain • Concrete advice for negotiating the everyday hurdles of medical appointments, household chores, and social obligations • Tools for navigating the strains illness can place on relationships Several chapters are directed toward family and friends of the chronically ill, helping them to understand what their loved one is going through and how they can help. Humorous and empathetic, Bernhard shares her own struggles and setbacks with unflinching honesty, offering invaluable support in the search to find peace and well-being.