Show Notes
For most of us, pain subsides fairly quickly as we recover from injury. For some, however, pain persists, making it challenging to return to our normal, full-functioning capacity. In some cases, chronic pain may develop due to stress, or even for unexplained reasons. However, due to the stigma and unconscious bias, individuals can feel too ashamed to ask for support or when they do, made to feel invalidated in their experience of chronic pain. The research shows that recovery and resilience are deeply social processes, and meaningful support can change someone’s ability to cope with pain.
Claire's biography: Our guest today is Dr. Claire Ashton-James a social psychologist and Associate Professor of Pain Management at The University of Sydney Medical School. Her work uncovers how social relationships influence the experience of pain and vice versa. Her research advocates for the integration of social “treatments” into the management of chronic pain, so that people have the best chance of returning to full capacity and avoid relying solely on pain medications or therapy.
00:00 - Intro 02:10 - How Claire became a social psychologist focused on pain management 04:20 - Definitions of chronic pain and acute pain 09:00 - Common misconceptions about people with chronic pain 12:30 - What Claire did differently after learning about these misconceptions 14:25 - How to support people in your life with chronic pain 16:45 - What workplaces can do to support employees with chronic pain 21:10 - Why social support is a key part of chronic pain management 22:25 - What someone with chronic pain can do if they don’t have a supportive social circle 29:15 - Are peer support groups helpful or harmful for pain management? 33:20 - When social connection can have a negative impact 34:25 - The unconscious biases health professionals may have against chronic pain patients 39:25 - What chronic pain patients can do when they experience invalidation from health professionals 41:55 - How to approach supporting someone struggling with chronic pain 44:05 - Acknowledging that chronic pain can cause social withdrawal 45:05 - What to do if pain prevents you from maintaining social connections 46:10 - Claire’s one wellbeing practice
Learn more about Claire https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-ashton-james-b271368a/
Learn more about Clearhead https://www.myclearhead.com/
More from Clear the air
From social media to diet and gym culture, messages about our bodies and the pressure to look a certain way are everywhere. Over time, these influences can shape how we see ourselves, how we eat and exercise, and even the messages we pass on to the next generation.
Clearhead acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present.
In this episode, we explore the growing evidence connecting gut health, nutrition, mental health and men’s physical wellbeing, including how everyday lifestyle factors can influence long-term gut health outcomes. We’ll look at how diet can support mood, energy, sleep and the gut–brain connection, as well as simple, practical changes men can make to support both their physical and mental wellbeing.
Bullying can leave lasting impacts on mental health and feel very personal to the victim, it shapes how people then cope, connect, and work throughout their lives. In this episode, we’ll explore how bullying show up in workplaces, and what truly prevents bullying at a organisational level in the workplace.
Women continue to face unique pressures, balancing professional, family, and social expectations while carrying the often-invisible mental and emotional load. In this webinar, we’ll explore the experiences of women in leadership roles and what organisations can do better to support women into senior roles and maintain their wellbeing.