I think the worst suffering can be caused by illnesses that don't show dramatic outward signs; like PHN. Once the Shingles is gone and you look OK again nobody can understand that you may feel a whole lot worse than when you had the rash and looked terrible. I know because I am suffering from PHN in the face and scalp. It has been 4 months since I could do anything social. My friends just don't "get" it. I look better, why aren't I back to my old self. I wish there was a way to shut off the pain, but there isn't.