For most of us, pain subsides fairly quickly as we recover from injury. For some, however, pain persists, making it challenging to return to our normal, full-functioning capacity. In some cases, chronic pain may develop due to stress, or even for unexplained reasons. However, due to the stigma and unconscious bias, individuals can feel too ashamed to ask for support or when they do, made to feel invalidated in their experience of chronic pain. The research shows that recovery and resilience are deeply social processes, and meaningful support can change someone’s ability to cope with pain.

Claire's biography:
Our guest today is Dr. Claire Ashton-James a social psychologist and Associate Professor of Pain Management at The University of Sydney Medical School. Her work uncovers how social relationships influence the experience of pain and vice versa. Her research advocates for the integration of social “treatments” into the management of chronic pain, so that people have the best chance of returning to full capacity and avoid relying solely on pain medications or therapy. 

00:00 - Intro
02:10 - How Claire became a social psychologist focused on pain management
04:20 - Definitions of chronic pain and acute pain
09:00 - Common misconceptions about people with chronic pain
12:30 - What Claire did differently after learning about these misconceptions
14:25 - How to support people in your life with chronic pain
16:45 - What workplaces can do to support employees with chronic pain
21:10 - Why social support is a key part of chronic pain management
22:25 - What someone with chronic pain can do if they don’t have a supportive social circle
29:15 - Are peer support groups helpful or harmful for pain management?
33:20 - When social connection can have a negative impact
34:25 - The unconscious biases health professionals may have against chronic pain patients
39:25 - What chronic pain patients can do when they experience invalidation from health professionals
41:55 - How to approach supporting someone struggling with chronic pain
44:05 - Acknowledging that chronic pain can cause social withdrawal
45:05 - What to do if pain prevents you from maintaining social connections
46:10 - Claire’s one wellbeing practice

Learn more about Claire
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-ashton-james-b271368a/

Learn more about Clearhead
https://www.myclearhead.com/