How to help someone

with chronic pain

Having a partner, friend, or family member that suffers from chronic pain can be very difficult. It's distressing to see your loved one suffer, especially since you know you can't take that pain away. You want to help them but don't know how, which makes you feel inadequate and frustrated.

Even though you can't make the problem disappear, there are still many things you can do in order to help and support your loved one. Here are some suggestions:

Help them clean their house, or do their dishes or laundry
Buy (or make) healthy snacks if they don't have an appetite
Listen to them without judging or interrupting
Help them take their mind off of things, e.g. by watching a movie together
Encourage them to take a shower or go out for a walk
Buy groceries for them or pick up their painkillers at the pharmacy
Make them a hot water bottle or heat their heating pad
Give them a long, nice massage
Do your best to talk some sense into them if they're being unreasonable
Assure them that they are loved and cared for, and that they aren't alone
Motivate them and help them deal with any negative thoughts that may appear
Remind them that they WILL get through this, even if it doesn't feel like it
Keep them company (if they want to), even if it's just by sitting next to each other and doing different things
Offer to give them a ride if they have somewhere to be