Different ways to see pain, even when your condition is invisible
Can you see pain?
It’s a tricky question! Pain is such a complex and subjective experience, and the word “pain” covers a whole host of very different experiences. It gets even more complicated when you’re talking about chronic pain or illness. It’s not like a bruise or a broken bone that you can easily point to and say, “Yep, that’s where and why it hurts!”
That doesn’t make the pain any less real, though.
Pain doesn’t always present itself visibly, and some individuals may mask their discomfort due to social expectations or personal stoicism. This is where other perspectives become crucial in developing a fuller understanding of how to see pain.
Let’s look at the different ways to see not just acute pain but chronic pain, invisible disabilities or even mental health struggles. You can see pain through a person’s actions and affect, by representing that pain in art, or by using technology to visualize what’s happening to a body in pain.
Actions & Affect Can Show Pain
Most simply, you can see pain in people’s actions. Their facial expressions, their body language, the way they move– all provide visible cues that signal the presence of pain. Research has even identified certain universal facial expressions associated with pain, transcending cultural boundaries.
Facial expressions are particularly telling, with grimaces, winces, and furrowed brows often indicating discomfort. Body language, such as protective postures or altered gait, can also be revealing. Finally, see their pain by listening: groans, sighs, or sharp intakes of breath signal distress.
As my day gets worse, I slouch down in my seat more and have to readjust the rearview mirror of my car. And when I get really bad, I start limping, and making little hurt sounds when I have to pick something heavy off the ground. That’s all easy to see.
But even before any of that, the people who truly know and love me can take one look at my face and know I’m having a migraine. It’s amazing what you can pick up on when you pay close attention.
Don’t forget about the bigger-picture stuff, either. In our personal relationships, “seeing” pain often requires attunement to subtle signs and changes in our loved ones that indicate increasing pain, like social withdrawal or decreased activity.
By attuning ourselves to subtle changes in mood, behavior, or communication, we can better “see” the psychological pain that others may be experiencing. This emotional intelligence allows us to provide more comprehensive support and understanding to those in pain.
Technological and Clinical Methods to “See” Pain
There have also been some pretty cool technological and clinical advances to help us “see” pain more clearly.
Medical imaging techniques like functional MRI (fMRI) scans can actually show us how pain lights up different areas of the brain. While it’s a few years old, this NIH paper provides a solid overview of the entire state of the art.
Doctors and researchers have also developed tools like pain scales and sensitivity tests to help quantify pain a more standardized way. (However, don’t get me started on pain scales.) Actually, one of the best pain scale options is the one where you actually have to draw your pain. Which leads us to…
Representing Pain Through Art
These creative expressions not only help individuals communicate their pain but also foster empathy and understanding in others. They provide a unique window into the pain experience, often capturing nuances that scientific descriptions might miss.
Artist: Ambivalently Yours
From Understanding to Action: The Real-World Impact of Seeing Pain
As we’ve explored, “seeing” pain is a multifaceted endeavor that requires us to look beyond the surface. By combining physical observations with psychological insights, cultural awareness, scientific knowledge, artistic expressions, and an understanding of broader societal contexts, we can develop a more comprehensive view of pain.
But this holistic approach to perceiving and understanding pain is not just an academic exercise. It has real-world implications for how we treat pain, support those who are suffering, and create a more compassionate society.
By fostering greater empathy and compassion in the face of pain, we can work towards a world where pain is not just seen, but truly understood and effectively addressed.
So whether you’re a healthcare professional, a caregiver, or simply a human being navigating the complexities of life, remember that your capacity to “see” and respond to pain with understanding can make a profound difference in someone’s life.
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