I have done a fair amount of research exploring people’s ability to adapt to a wide range of illnesses and disabilities, too emotionally recover from these difficult circumstances more than the could have imagined. But chronic pain is one of those health conditions that many people find very difficult to adapt to emotionally. One reason may be because it is so hard for other people to empathize or sympathize with what it means to live with chronic pain. I was reminded of that idea when I came across the following quote recently, from Alphonse Daudet, a 19th century French philosopher:
Pain is always new to the sufferer, but loses its originality for those around him. Everyone will get used to it except me.
Definitely something to keep in mind the next time you encounter someone whose complaints about chronic pain would otherwise have fallen upon deaf ears.