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Brenda Lee Pop Chronicle Special Feature For some, pain is woven into their lihstylesnschagintheeaoeofarthritits. But for others, who have developed chron- ie pain as a result ofsudden injury, the sedentary lifestyle may be totally unac~ ceptable and these tndferers will always he in search of answers. The approach of modern medicine is based on the “disease model" which is why moat ofus think of pain in terms of injury or disease. The belief is that all symptoms, including pain, are rooted in disease or injury In cases where no disease or injury is detectable, there is nothing for the physician to cure and his job is virtually finished. But chronic pain tsufferers do experience REAL pain which causes fatigue, depression, personality changes, anger and frustration. Because chronic pain is malingering, a patient will quite often turn to his physician for an instant cure and because there is no "quick fix", a frustrated doctor may retort, "You'll simply have to learn to live with it." However, this is nothing more than an empty phrase that offers hopelessness and helplessness. br. David Corey, -the director of the Behavioral Health Clinic in Toronto, says Chronicle Special My life changed Jan. 21, 1985. The day was overcast but there was nothing unusual about the driving conditions or so it seemed. My baby and I were headed down the expressway when, suddenly, the car in front of us spun out. At that moment, I realized that the highway was a sheet of black ice. I had enough time to collect my thoughts and to pull out of a potentially dangerous situation. However, the transport truck driver behind me didn't have the same judgement and I will pay the consequences for the rest of my life. I tsuffered with whiplash which over two years later has left me with chronic pain. In January 1988, the K-W Accident Trauma Support Group was organized as a non-profit organization which meets on a monthly basis. It is operated by concerned individuals who have been affected directly orindirectlyhysuddenipjuryasraretn1ltofear,gporu Brenda late Pop Chrtmicpi1nezitrttrinoursoeietyin The Silent Epidemic horrible for victims Highway accident changed her life 4?alllllllluhNlllE PAIN: that "much psychological harm is done to people by experts who minimise their pain experience and question their sense of reality." There are not only physical deficits but also emotional defieita. In many cases, the sufferer can no longer physically or mentally meet the requirements of a job, of a home life or other relationships. Fear, anxiety and low self-esteem are My tive ofthe mental state ofa victim. lam self-esteem and fear resulting from an undiagnosed condition can lead to a lifeofsedentary andtoanobsessionofthe pain. Victims also become fearful about the uncertainty of their future. The chronic pain tsufferer is quite often the victim of misbelief and ridicule due to the "seeing is believing" myth. The irony is that the sufferer is quite sensitive to the judgement of others which in turn only causes more pain such as in muscle spasm brought on by stress. So in fact, others involved with the victim (co-workers, family and friends) become frustrated when the sufferer doesn't improve. Thus erupts a vicious cyclemisbelief inducing stress and stress inducing more pain. According to Dr. Corey, it is what you don't know about pain that can hurt you. He states, "A person with a pain problem must be willing to look at all aspects of his life, emotional state, and personality in or other accidents. Victims of trauma experience a disruption of lifestyle and are thrown into a Mate of confusion and total chaos. The chaos not only affects victims but also family members or tsignificant others. In fact, the family is in a crisis situation. A change in lifestyle quite often means alienation of a victim’s friends. For example, a person may have had a very active and social lifestyle before an accident and now may lead a very passive sedentary lifestyle. More often than not, a victim also experiences personality changes and that may be dimeult for friends and family to deal with. Personality changes include fitg of rage, loss of memory, fear and low selfestsem. However, it is important for the victim to know that thee are normal reactions for someone who has experienced trauma and it is OK to feel this way. After all, the victim's mortality has been challenged. However, there comes a time when we have to look to order to take control of the pain ... Sufferers do not have to accept a life of doom and gloom by accepting alternatives of higher pain levels through surgery or a lower level of functioning through drugs." As a chronic pain victim, this writer was appalled to learn that no support group of this nature existed in this area, so I decided to start one. It is called K-W Accident Trauma Support Group. Since it is what you don't know about pain that can really hurt you, the group's main goal is to educate on pain manage- ment. Anxiety only perpetuates chronic pain and understanding chronic pain can alleviate anxiety and fear. Jthft' g mt "tfg%tN1lt',gy'3Mt3m0 mmm - I gtiw;, ttttAT-ttttttttttttttiM-tATF, iu-PAMO the future instead of the past and start to put our lives back into an acceptable social state. The K.W Accident Trauma Support Group promises hope to these indivi- duals amidst their chaos. The group has two main goals: to offer emotional support and to educate on pain management. Emotional support for victims of trauma is very, very important for those that feel they are “losing it". It is people in the “same boat" that can offer emotional support for they experience the physical pain, the same emotions and the same thoughts. The group's second goal is to provide education on pain management " well as to provide resource information of further avenues of help besides medi- cal-based information. i.e. relaxation therapy. It is important for people in trauma to beeeme part of an active therapy versus a passive therapy because it is the mental state that can make or break you. Par more information on the group call 885-4012 or The second important goal of this self- help group is to provide emotional support for others in the "same boat". It is equally important for the family of the victim to supply the kind of unrelenting emotional support that a victim desperately needs. Therefore family members are also wel. come to sit in on group sessions. The key to a healthy recovery lies not only on education but also in self-involve. ment. Focusing on something other than the pain can be very beneficial therapy. Hopefully, someday, we can all lead active and fulfilling lives again. For more info. mation on this group call 8854012 or