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(2016) Meanings of pain, Dordrecht, Springer.
Chronic pain is a perplexing and confusing experience for both the individual and the clinician. As meaning-making beings, people struggle to make sense of an experience that disrupts the sense of coherence and assumptions about who they are and what they can do. Individuals who successfully make sense of their pain, and can integrate this new reality into their self-concept are able to move forward in life. Findings from a classical grounded theory are used in this chapter to show the importance of making sense of pain as part of a process of regaining self-coherence. The overall process shows that a critical aspect of accepting chronic pain is learning to re-occupy a self-concept that integrates the impact of chronic pain while allowing the individual to express important values through activities in daily life. Clinicians are encouraged to place emphasis on creating a space where being present, listening and explaining can occur so that people living with pain can begin to feel that the world, and their place in it, makes sense.
Publication details
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-49022-9_19
Full citation:
Lennox Thompson, B. (2016)., Making sense: regaining self-coherence, in S. Van Rysewyk (ed.), Meanings of pain, Dordrecht, Springer, pp. 309-324.
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