Living With Pain Toolkit, Suicide Warning Signs
 

Many of us have one or more "risk factors" for developing depression, an associated sense of hopelessness and for suicidal thoughts and/or attempts.

The holiday season is upon us, which often adds to stressors, amplifies losses/grief, etc.

As Dr. Friedman points out in this video, we aren't putting the idea of suicide into anyone's head by mentioning suicide. We are, more likely, offering an opportunity for people to talk about their pain.


Jill Harkavy-Friedman, Ph.D. of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org) speaks to the RSDSA (www.rsds.org) convention. 2014.


"Dr. Harkavy-Friedman discusses the importance of developing a tool kit for living with pain, a tool kit for strategies while in severe pain, and a safety plan. The video also talks about depression, warning signs to watch for to know if a person is a suicide risk, and what you can do."

https://youtu.be/ZKBY56SHSIU (Approx. 44 min. in length)


The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention site: www.afsp.org
Or call: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

The Pain Tool Kit, as explained in this video, is authored by Peter Moore.
More about the Pain Tool Kit (the booklet mentioned by Dr. Harkavy-Friedman) is available as a free download at: www.paintoolkit.org

:grouphug:
DejaVu

Video Content Appropriate for Any Type of Chronic Pain
 

I had placed this video in this forum because it is sponsored by the RSDSA (www.rsds.org), while addressing CRPS/RSD pain.

However, the video also mentions the work Dr. Harkavy-Friedman does with people living with Fibromyalgia.

I feel this tool kit and video is appropriate for anyone coping with any form of chronic pain -- physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.

:grouphug:
DejaVu

DejaVu, thanks for posting this. I didn't have 44 minutes to watch the video. I am however acutely aware of the suicide risks when someone has chronic pain. My best friend's aunt attempted suicide just a few days ago by swallowing a bunch of pain pills, thank the lord that her son checked in on her and she survived. She didn't have CRPS, but had an issue with her leg, she was unable to walk and it had completely atrophied due to not using the affected limb. She became immobile, was in pain and very depressed and so tried to check out. That should be a message to all of us with CRPS. Even though an affected limb (or limbs) cause pain with use, you absolutely need to keep at least a small degree of mobility to avoid muscle wasting (atrophy) as it just makes everything worse (not using the affected limb). Maybe think of pain of moving your affected (painful) limb as a good thing to keep mobility. Pain is terrible and sometimes incapacitating, but try and think of the future and keeping your limb (s) at least somewhat mobile so this doesn't happen. :hug:

Thank You, Megsmountain!
 

Thanks for sharing about your friend's aunt's survival. I hope this gives her further opportunity to find a new path, with additional tools and support.:hug:

As you point out, the best approach is a preventative approach, trying to minimize limitations, etc. :)

The Pain Toolkit outlined by Dr. Harkavy-Friedman is basic, yet important. A part of it's purpose to is to keep us ahead of further dysfunction and further despair. I hope people will take a look at the Pain Toolkit.

If anyone just wants to see the Pain Toolkit, the booklet is available as a free download at: www.paintoolkit.org . There is also a phone app available at this same site. Both are authored by Peter Moore.


More recently, we understand to keep moving through the pain. Fortunately. Thank you, megsmountain for highlighting the importance of maintaining as much mobility as possible.:)


Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick, M.D., Ph.D., of Florida, has a saying he often says to his young CRPS patients, as he encourages them to continue moving through the pain. He sometimes asks his young patients to repeat the phrase back to him, as it's an important one:

"To cause pain is not to cause harm." :) (Dr. A. Kirkpatrick)

I have started to teach this statement to my DH. He is so sweet and so very supportive. He is constantly warning me to not do more, to get my legs elevated now, etc, etc. I so appreciate his support. I have to gently let him know that I have to push a bit further, as I am trying to keep as much function as possible.:)

Learning to manage our pain levels is a part of what is taught in the first half of this video, via discussion of the Pain Toolkit.

Learning the warning signs of depression in ourselves and/or in others is on the second half of the video.

Love, Hope and Healing,
DejaVu

Dejavu, I'll watch the video when I get a chance. I know for me (again, have been living with this CRPS over a decade) whenever I immobilized my limb in any way it ALWAYS made the pain worse. I have so much specialized "equipment" to immobilize my hands/wrists. I cannot tolerate them at all. I have probably over 10 devices of different sorts. Some were made for me specifically by occupational and physical therapists. I cannot tolerate much "touch" or anything covering my hands/wrists/lower arms, barely ever. I live in an area that gets very cold in the winter and I wear 3/4 arm shirts, never full, or I roll the sleeves up. I've found if I need immobilization, I find a good pillow and just position it and rest my hand/arm there. Keeping yourself mobile is absolutely a must if you want to not worsen your CRPS. I know it's really hard, but with time it does get easier as you at least understand the pain more and triggers, etc., what to absolutely avoid. Pain is a terrible thing, but not being able to function at all is even worse than pain, at least from my experience. I guess I learned from a young age due to competitive physical activities I was a part of to ignore a lot of pain. Don't give the pain the power!! You have the power. I know the mind cannot always overcome the pain, but people can try their best to not focus on it and not make it (the pain) the centerpiece of their existence. That is not a good or healthy place to be (always thinking about pain), and unfortunately, that's when people do get to the point of despair where they consider suicide. :hug:

Attention Parents of Children With Chronic Pain
 

Welcome Parents! :D

We are all deeply saddened when a young person suffers with severe chronic pain. :(

We are thrilled parents are here in our community, seeking information and support. :D

Please know there are two links within this free Pain Toolkit download which brings us to 2 additional versions of free Pain Toolkit downloads (booklets) written especially for young people. :D

Your child may benefit from one of the versions written for children and teenagers.

:grouphug:
DejaVu

Choices in Opening/Closing the Pain Gate
 

Megsmountain has just shared the importance of choosing a focus other than chronic pain.

We are fortunate to have some choices which may allow us a greater degree of comfort and of joy.:D

When managing our lives with chronic pain, we want to mindfully focus upon things which close the pain gate.

Peter Moore writes about this in the Pain Toolkit booklets.
He identifies some things which open or close the pain gate when coping with chronic pain.
For example, Peter writes:

"Opens Gate:
 Stress
 Tension
 Anger
 Sadness
 Worry
 Lack of activity
 Focusing on pain"

"Closes Gate:
 Relaxation / calm
 Happiness
 Stretching / exercise
 Distraction
 Some painkillers / medication
 Massage / heat / cold*
 TENS machine*"

* Cold applications are notoriously not helpful with CRPS. Some find TENS machines also problematic. This list was originally made for generic chronic pain.

I am sure we can each add to these lists.
While I find the Pain Toolkit content quite basic, it encourages a simple, mindful approach to managing our lives in ways which benefit us and also benefit those with whom we share our lives.

Joyful Blessings,

:grouphug:
DejaVu