Is it normal to feel angry about chronic pain or mental health issues?
Posted by Dolores
mollyweasley4 asked:
I have both Mental health issues and chronic pain from a back injury. Both are lifetime problems. I have days when pain prevents me from almost anything (like: getting dressed or driving) and I’m angry about that. I’m not taking my anger out on anyone, but my husband tells me it’s my dysfunctional family of origin’s anger, not my own, and I “shouldn’t be angry”. So: Do I have a right to be angry, or what?
MILAGROS
I have both Mental health issues and chronic pain from a back injury. Both are lifetime problems. I have days when pain prevents me from almost anything (like: getting dressed or driving) and I’m angry about that. I’m not taking my anger out on anyone, but my husband tells me it’s my dysfunctional family of origin’s anger, not my own, and I “shouldn’t be angry”. So: Do I have a right to be angry, or what?
MILAGROS
February 17th, 2009 at 8:36 am
No, i understand just what you mean… i **** it, and i let my wife know it.
February 20th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
It is normal to feel angry about any illness. I have had mental health issues for years. It is true that some mental illness can come from having a dysfunctional family. It may also be true that it’s genetic. My spouse has muscular dystrophy. I am angry about what it does to him. Being angry all the time does no good but it’s normal to be angry sometimes especially when your illness limits you from living your life. Do you talk to someone other than your husband about your illness? That helps me.
February 20th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
You have every right to be angry.
But then again, you have every right to offer this pain up as an act of solidarity with your patients.
This is a right that not many people are capable of possessing. You know, one of my colleagues, he did not show any compassion towards anybody. He washed his hands after shaking with each of his patients as though even a hint of compassion would contaminate him.
Now, you have to choose not to be angry, dear nurse. Rather, to be a hero, each morning you get up in pain to face a difficult day.