Recently,
a Redditor with a chronic condition coined a brilliant term to
describe their pain, that term being “Pain Chameleon.”
Many
of us who undergo chronic pain and fatigue eventually learn to
interact with others in a fashion that is socially normal – more or
less. Eclectix, the
creator of the term, describes it well in their
wonderful post:
“I
recently coined the term "pain chameleon" to describe my
natural tendency to disguise my pain. I don't even think about it,
and I'm not sure I could stop even if I wanted to, because a lifetime
of chronic pain and illness has forced me to act like this is normal
in order to interact with everybody else in a meaningful way.
If
I reacted the same way people without chronic pain and illness do
when they feel the sort of pain and illness I routinely feel, then I
would constantly be inconsolable, morose, grimacing, weeping,
complaining, writhing, and occasionally screaming. There is no way
that you can go through life like this, so even as a child I learned
to just act like nothing was wrong.
This
way I can still manage to have friends, protect those I love from
constantly suffering from my own problems, and have some sort of a
life. The problem is that it also isolates me and can even prevent me
from connecting or reaching out when I really need to.”
"...a lifetime of chronic pain and illness has forced me to act like this is normal..."
This term is fantastic, because it encompasses that habit we all pick up living with chronic pain or fatigue; eventually, we all adapt to some degree in order to comply appropriately with activities or social interaction. Not only is the term creative, but "social chameleon" could easily be used to describe your pain habits to doctors when they ask you to rate your pain or inquire about painful symptoms that often effect you.
Next time you describe this to someone, use the term "pain chameleon" and get the word out that just because you've learned to carry yourself well doesn't magically take away the pain!
Design Your Own Pain Chameleon!
Design your own "Pain Chameleon" via crayons, paint, digital media, whatever!
Submit the new face of the pain chameleon to:
NikeNicholson@gmail.com
All chameleons will be posted, and a winner will be chosen. Please keep the drawings appropriate. Send all submissions by May 31st. A winner will be declared on June 1st along with the posting of all the awesome chameleons y'all send!
No comments:
Post a Comment