Chronic Pain and the Family: A New Guide (The Harvard University Press Family Health Guides) (Paperback)

by Dr. Julie K. Silver M.D. (Author)
Key Phrases: people with chronic pain, treating chronic pain, chronic pain conditions, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Anyone who has experienced chronic pain knows how debilitating and disruptive it can be. But pain doesn’t only affect the sufferer; according to medical professor Silver, it "is a familial experience that dramatically changes the dynamics of the family." In this latest entry in Harvard University’s useful series of concise guides for families aiding sick members, Silver examines how family relationships can be affected by chronic pain: the impact on parents of suffering children, and on children of suffering parents, the role of extended family, the effect on intimacy and sexual activity, and more. Silver clearly discusses medication and other treatments as well, including alternative medicine. Useful sidebars deal with specific issues: one suggests ways to eliminate unhelpful chronic pain behaviors that can alienate friends; another gives a list of pain medications associated with sexual dysfunction. Silver’s advice is wise and sensible, based on her own years of practice with chronic pain patients and, though her book is by no means comprehensive, it’s a good place to start.
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Review
In this latest entry in Harvard University's useful series of concise guides for families aiding sick members, Silver examines how family relationships can be affected by chronic pain: the impact on parents of suffering children, and on children of suffering parents, the role of extended family, the effect on intimacy and sexual activity, and more. Silver clearly discusses medication and other treatments as well, including alternative medicine. Useful sidebars deal with specific issues: one suggests ways to eliminate unhelpful chronic pain behaviors that can alienate friends; another gives a list of pain medications associated with sexual dysfunction. Silver's advice is wise and sensible, based on her own years of practice with chronic pain patients. (Publishers Weekly )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press; 1 edition (October 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674016661
• ISBN-13: 978-0674016668
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #270,472 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #41 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Disorders & Diseases > Physical Impairments
  #51 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Disorders & Diseases > Chronic Pain

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Julie Silver is as remarkable a writer as she is a physician, March 27, 2006

By	David Seaman (Boston) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Chronic Pain and the Family" is written for the family and friends of someone who suffers from severe pain all of the time. This is not to say that someone who is in pain won't benefit from this book; it's a book that serves all well and is applicable to all kinds of pain. Despite that, Dr.Silver adresses the important impact that someone's pain has on his family and friends. It is not possible that those who surround a situation are not affected by it in many ways. Why should it be different for chronic pain? Silver's book takes us from the very definition of pain, through all elements of pain, children, teens, the extended family, medication and potential addiction, depression, diagnosis as well as alternative therapy. Dr. Silver is knowledgable about the subject and seemingly still aware that the patients about whom she writes are human. This is an excellent book for anyone who has been in pain or knows someone who has pain.