A young white woman in blonde hair gripping her neck in distress.

TW: Suicidal thoughts 

Robyn Lawrence

Chronic pain is often invisible. Someone you walk past on the street could be experiencing chronic pain, but you would never know.

In England, roughly 34 per cent of the population lives with chronic pain, and the proportion of young adults affected has risen substantially in recent years.

Despite the prevalence of chronic pain, young people with the condition are still stigmatised. There is a sense of shame that surrounds those living with pain at such a young age since it’s usually associated with older people.

It is often suggested that your condition is not serious, you might grow out of it, or you’re just exaggerating. A common misconception, particularly when it comes to young people, is that someone can’t be in pain if they “look healthy”.

The stigma doesn’t come directly from having a chronic condition, it is the result of harmful attitudes in medical settings, the workplace, and the wider world. However, dealing with stigma can worsen chronic pain. It can result in dismissal by doctors, impact an individual’s health and well-being, and lead to burnout.

Defining chronic pain

Chronic pain is defined by the NHS as pain that persists “for longer than twelve weeks, despite medication or treatment”. It is often categorised according to impact.

High Impact Chronic Pain (HICP) describes pain that has lasted longer than three months and is accompanied by at least one major activity restriction, such as being unable to perform day-to-day tasks. A large percentage of people with HICP (83%) are unable to work for a living. Up to 33% have difficulties washing themselves or getting dressed.

Low Impact Chronic Pain is often easier to live with. Medication and physical therapy can help people manage their pain, so they’re more able to perform daily tasks. But it can still make life difficult.

Chronic pain is a complex condition and affects people in different ways. It’s important to remember that just because chronic pain is low impact doesn’t mean it should be ignored or left untreated.

What causes it?

Sometimes, chronic pain has an obvious cause.

Most people living with chronic pain have musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis or osteoporosis. Diseases that cause damage to joints or nerves, including osteoarthritis and tendinitis, are also common causes. The pain people experience can be the main symptom of their illness or simply one among many.

Chronic pain can also be caused by an injury or mental trauma. Between 20-80% of people with a history of trauma experience chronic pain and it often co-exists with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Others might have a physical injury – such as a broken bone – that is painful even after it has healed.

Stress, anxiety, and depression can result in chronic pain developing. Hormone levels can also be an invisible cause.

Other people with chronic pain may have several causes that overlap. For example, mental and physical illnesses are common bedfellows, which makes it difficult to know which caused the pain.

“Those of us who have to deal with pain on a regular basis find our own unique ways of coping.”

In some cases, the cause of someone’s chronic pain can be unknown. This might be referred to as psychogenic pain or psychosomatic pain, but it doesn’t mean it’s “all in your head” – the pain is very real.

Living with chronic pain

Pain can be a strange concept to wrap your head around. It affects everyone differently, yet those of us who have to deal with pain on a regular basis find our own unique ways of coping. Often, we mask our problems with a false smile and a nod. We pretend that everything is okay.

Difficulties sleeping, memory loss, and decreased mobility are all associated with chronic pain. These symptoms can completely alter a person’s life and result in them feeling incredibly isolated. Making your bed in the morning, going out on walks, or socialising with friends can seem virtually impossible.

How it affects someone’s wellbeing

Chronic pain can be both disabling and mentally challenging. Those with the condition are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Dealing with these problems – especially as a young person – can feel incredibly overwhelming at times.

Nearly one in ten young people who experience persistent physical pain also have suicidal thoughts. This is due to the stigma attached to having an invisible and misunderstood disability. People might not receive the treatment and care they need, and due to fear of stigmatisation, may have to cope without any support.

Research from the University of Bath shows that 20% of affected adults went untreated during their adolescent years. Fighting for a diagnosis can be difficult at any age, but it’s even harder when nobody can see your pain.

It’s notable these well-being problems don’t stem from the chronic pain itself. Instead, they are a result of how society treats people with chronic pain and disabilities that aren’t obvious from the outside.

Fighting for a diagnosis

While it can be difficult to face stigma from friends, family members, and teachers, the lack of concern from medical professionals feels ten times worse. It can be scary to lay out all your vulnerabilities to a doctor, only to leave feeling disheartened and believing there is no hope.

Since I was a child, I have attended frequent hospital appointments. During my late teenage years, I experienced new struggles with my health. On several occasions, I left appointments in floods of tears, frustrated with the lack of answers. Visits to healthcare professionals only made me doubt myself and how I was feeling.

“I couldn’t help but feel anger for all the times I was dismissed because I was so young.”

I decided I just had to ‘get on with it’ since nobody would listen.

Last month, at twenty years old, I finally received the diagnosis I deserved all those years ago. I couldn’t help but feel anger for all the times I was dismissed because I was young.

Getting a clear diagnosis can take time, which is important to remember when looking for answers. Nevertheless, patients, especially those at a young age, deserve to be listened to and given treatment options.

It’s okay to not be okay

Fighting to be heard can be a long and lonely battle.

Whether it is chronic panic or another health problem, remember to stay persistent. When you go to appointments, make sure you bring a list of symptoms and track your difficulties over time so you don’t miss anything. Bring a loved one for support. Make sure you always remain calm but firm.

People shouldn’t feel like they don’t have access to the help they need. They shouldn’t feel like they have to deal with their pain alone or be made to doubt themselves by medical professionals.

Nobody knows your symptoms better than you do.

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Currently studying BA Journalism and Media at the University of Leeds. Love writing about nature, all things lifestyle and discussing important topics!

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