Ep 11. What’s the Harm?
Trigger warning: This episode deals with the topic of suicide.
Dan and I have an interesting and important discussion that bridges the gap between patients’ clear and obvious frustrations with how different versions of “it’s in your head” affect them and providers’ lack of awareness around the issue. How can this be the case? And how does being told pain is in your head possibly increase suicidal thoughts by 500-1200%? We explain how it occurs and compare it to what we’d accept from other therapies.
Chronic pain patients have a 25% likelihood of suicidal thoughts in the last 2 weeks. If how we explain pain increases that risk in as few as 5% of patients, we might need to think of another explanation.
If you are a patient who has had suicidal ideation recently, please reach out to one of the below suicide support lines in the show notes. We need you.
Episode References:
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