Chronic pain’s effect on the family can be immense, especially if the one experiencing the pain and the rest of the family members do not have a good understanding of how to deal with it. When one of the parents in the family becomes injured and as a result suffers from chronic pain, many things begin to change in that person. Of course there are going to be physical changes in them, such as being limited in their activities, not being able to pull their weight around the house, and possibly not even being able to keep their job. Even beyond that, the emotional and psychological changes in that person can trigger more challenges for the family.

When a parent who has chronic pain is no longer able to do the things he or she did before, there is added pressure on the other parent and possibly older children to pick up the slack. This added pressure can have a duel effect; the other family members may resent having to do more of the work, and the one with chronic pain may feel guilty and depressed about the added responsibilities the other members have, in addition to dealing with their pain.

There is hope, however, as chronic pain’s effect on the family does not have to cause the family to fall apart. If a family has to deal with a parent who has chronic pain, it is a very good idea to go to a mental health pain specialist, psychologist, or family counselor who will deal with the family as a unit, and not just the one suffering from chronic pain. Having a fairly normal home life is doable when everyone in the family understands and accepts the changes that are needed to be made.