Understanding and Asking for Social Support
Getting help from friends and family is important when dealing with pain, especially if it becomes chronic. People who love and care about you may want to help but might not know how. Other people may also provide support. This might include neighbors, co-workers, professionals involved in your care, members of a religious, volunteer, or other organization.
Different kinds of support can be useful, and what works for one person might not work as well for another.
It's important to talk to your support network about what you need.
They might not always know how to help unless you tell them.
Here are some ways that people can help you to manage your pain.
Let's talk about each of these types of support.
Emotional Support means showing that they sympathize and care about what you're going through. Feeling listened to, loved, and understood can make it easier to handle the many emotions that can come with ongoing pain.
Practical Support is when people help with everyday tasks, like chores, helping with childcare, picking up groceries, or going to your doctor appointments with you. This kind of help can make daily life less challenging and improve how you feel overall. It can really help to know someone has your back.
Informational Support involves getting information about your condition, treatments, and coping strategies. Knowing more about your health can help you make better decisions and manage your pain.
This type of support is often provided by a professional, although a knowledgeable family member or friend can also give this type of help.
Validation support includes listening, trying to understand, and acknowledging your struggle with pain.
This can help to validate your feelings and experience. When you feel understood, you may feel less alone.
Companionship can be helpful: Spending time with friends, family, or other people in your support network can be good for everyone, especially for those dealing with ongoing pain.
It gives a sense of belonging and helps take your mind off the pain.
Advocacy Support. This is when someone stands up for your rights and needs, like helping you navigate the healthcare system, attending doctor or other appointments, or dealing with the social challenges of ongoing pain.
Hopefully, you have a better understanding of different types of support. Take the first step to asking for support by creating a support plan. You may want to pause the video now and make a list of each type of support. Create your list on paper, your phone, or computer. You will find the list helpful to create your custom support plan.
Once you have created a list of each type of support, think about and list specific examples of what you may find helpful within each category.
Next, consider and list people who might provide each type of support. Remember, this could be family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, support groups, professionals involved in your care, members of a religious, volunteer, or other organization.
Finally, have a conversation with each person about the ways in which they may provide support.
You may want to talk with non-professional supporters, like family or friends, about the support that YOU may offer in return. Your pain doesn’t mean you can’t also lend support to your loved ones.
When support has been provided, notice and appreciate the support that was especially helpful. Update your support plan as your needs change.
You don't have to face pain alone. Social support can make it easier to manage and live with pain.
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