This was originally written for people suffering with chronic pain but, after reading it I realized it works for migraine sufferers as well...so I changed it thusly TIPS FOR DEALING WITH PEOPLE WITH MIGRAINES 1. People with migraines seem unreliable (we can’t count on ourselves). When feeling better we promise things (and mean it); when in serious pain, we may not even show up. 2. An action or situation may result in a headache several hours later, or even the next day. Delayed pain is confusing to people who have never experienced it. 3. Pain can inhibit listening and other communication skills. It’s like having someone shouting at you, or trying to talk with a fire alarm going off in the room. The effect of pain on the mind can seem like attention deficit disorder. So you may have to repeat a request, or write things down for a person with a migraine. Don’t take it personally, or think that they are stupid. 4. The senses can overload while in pain. For example, noises that wouldn’t normally bother you, seem too much. 5. Patience may seem short. We can’t wait in a long line; can’t wait for a long drawn out conversation. 6. Don’t always ask “how are you” unless you are genuinely prepared to listen it just points attention inward. 7. Pain can sometimes trigger psychological disabilities (usually very temporary). When in pain, a small task, like hanging out the laundry, can seem like a huge wall, too high to climb over. An hour later the same job may be quite OK. It is sane to be depressed occasionally when you hurt. 8. A migraine can come on fairly quickly and unexpectedly. Pain sometimes abates after a short rest. Migraines may appear to arrive and fade unpredictably to others. 9. Knowing where a refuge is, such as a couch, a bed, or comfortable chair, is as important as knowing where a bathroom is. A visit is much more enjoyable if the person knows there is a refuge if needed. A person migraines may not want to go anywhere that has no refuge (e.g.no place to sit or lie down). 10. Small acts of kindness can seem like huge acts of mercy to a person with migraines. Your offer of a pillow or a cup of tea can be a really big thing to a person who is feeling temporarily helpless in the face of encroaching pain.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 04:08:41 +0000
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