A Course on Compassion: Empathy in the Face of Chronic Pain

Click to view “A Course on Compassion” lecture videos

Being labeled as a “chronic pain” patient is one of the worst aspects of an already terrible problem. It is not possible to be truly seen or heard if you are viewed in just one dimension. It almost like experiencing the “locked-in syndrome” that some head trauma patients experience. They have full understanding but have no ability to communicate.

Empathy is an inherent part of the human experience.

Most physicians are empathetic by nature and are drawn to medicine because they want to “make a difference.” But the rigors of training and practice often cause them to disconnect from their compassionate selves.

Many medical professionals have succeeded by pushing themselves to the limit by being self-critical. It is not possible to be compassionate to others if you are not accepting of yourself.

If you suffer from chronic pain you are probably frustrated having the label of “chronic pain” placed upon you. The goal of treatment now becomes to “live with the pain” instead of curing your pain. You might as well be in hospice care–except there is no end in sight.

The burnout rate of physicians is consistently around 45-50%. It is impossible to reach out to others when you are just trying to survive. The combination of burnout and labeling you with “chronic pain” creates a situation where the decision-making process regarding your care may be distorted.

“A Course on Compassion” was attended by medical and non-medical professionals as well as many patients. The intent of the course was to increase an awareness of the importance of compassion in your care as well as to provide some tools to deal with the interferences to connecting with one’s own empathy.

Lecture #8 by Dr. Howard Schubiner outlines the “Mind Body Syndrome”. It is an important diagnosis for you to consider as there is a high probability that at least part of your symptom complex is arising from this problem.