Thursday, May 8, 2014

Reasons To Join Pain Support Groups Online

By Eloise Hewitt


Chronic pain sufferers often feel isolated and alone. They may even have a good support group around them of family and friends but it is very difficult for anyone who does not suffer in this way to understand what it is really like. The sufferer often does not want to make the problem even worse for those around them by talking about their problems. In this type of situation, pain support groups online provide a valuable function.

The people who belong to a group like this can understand and identify with suffering. They are available to share their experiences and listen too. Living with constant pain affects not only the body but the mind as well. Sharing with others in the same situation often helps to alleviate the depression and anxiety that comes with suffering like this.

One of the advantages of joining is that it is possible to belong even if you are not mobile. You can participate even if there are any other barriers such as being bedridden or not having any transport. Your age, gender and color do not matter either.

Another benefit is that you will always find other participants online, even during the night. Many people experience intense pain at night that keeps them awake. The fact that others are experiencing the same problem means that they can support one another through it.

Participating in such a group is not meant to replace real life relationships. However, it is a way of bringing together people from all over the world who are suffering similarly. This offers a vast and rich source of experience from which to draw. Someone on the other side of the world may even have advice to offer on a practical every day issue affecting someone.

The community can provide help with learning about different ways of coping with pain. Practical tips and suggestions for every day life can be picked up. One just needs to be careful about accepting medical advice as sometimes this advice may be misleading or inaccurate.

What puts some people off joining such a group is that they think that the participants talk endlessly about their suffering. On the contrary, participants are often constructive and positive in their approach. Many of them are very brave considering what they are experiencing and humor is often used to cope with their situation.

Online relationships do not replace other ones. However, they provide a valuable means of obtaining the support and encouragement needed. It also offers a way to improve self worth too, as this is a way for a sufferer to help others, despite their situation. Reaching out to others and helping them to push through can be very important to someone.

It is very easy to join a group like this. You are offered hope when you need it and are spurred on to keep coping even when you want to give up. You can help to spur others on to keep coping too. Communication, companionship and support are offered in a non threatening setting.




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