How Spouses Can Help and How They Can Make It Worse

For people with chronic pain, their spouses are often one of their most important sources of support. But according to Beverly Thorn, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, who works with chronic pain patients, there are surprising ways spouses can actually make pain worse even when they mean well. In this video, Thorn explains that when spouses pay attention to their partners only during painful times, that reinforces pain messages, but when they also pay attention during good moments, they support their partner’s participation in things that bring them pleasure which, in turn, can reduce pain.

For more information on coping with chronic pain, including how to keep it from straining your marriage, visit our Chronic Pain Journey.