Does your chronic pain ever make you grumpy? Do you ever feel isolated from the people around you?
Well, if you answered no to either one of those questions, we’ve got the perfect tips for you! After all, who would actually want support from loved ones during a difficult situation? (NOTE: You can sense our sarcasm, here, right?) It’s much easier to go at your trials alone. Let us give you some tips on how to make sure that your chronic pain ruins your relationships.
Step 1: Don’t tell your friends and family how to help you
It’s so much easier to not let your friends and family help. You shouldn’t have to talk about your problems with them. They’ll probably just judge you. Or they’ll freak out because they don’t know how to handle it. So, of course, don’t let them help you. Just tell them to leave you alone. You don’t need the support! Support is for weaklings.
Step 2: Don’t understand why this may be difficult for them
If you didn’t trust us on step one and told your friends and family about your problems anyway, the least you could do is refuse to understand where they’re coming from. If they ask questions, don’t give them! If they tell you that they want to help but they don’t know how, be offended! You have every right to not understand. This is your time to be selfish!
Step 3: Don’t find ways to work your friends in
When your pain gets too bad, you might not be able to keep up with your friends’ schedules. Don’t let them schedule around how you’re feeling. It’s best to just let them do their own thing. How else could you plan to be mad at them if they’re trying to be in your life? If you wanted someone always around, you could buy a dog.
Okay, we’ve had our fun. The truth is…your friends and family want to support you, and you should let them! Do tell them about what is going on; do answer their questions about how they can help; do find ways to keep your friends in your life. Chronic pain does not need to decide for you whether a relationship comes or goes. Need help managing your pain? We’re here to help. Check out our website for more details: {{account:url}}