Chronic Illness / Pain

Coping with chronic illness or pain, whether from a life-long or short-term condition, brings suffering to both the person experiencing the pain and those who are supportive caregivers. As the perception of pain is a very personal thing and difficult to measure, therapists will carefully and empathically assist clients and families in the growth of a variety of coping skills, as well as help them find meaning in their challenges.

Facts about Chronic Illness / Pain

According to the World Health Organization:

• Chronic disease is responsible for 60% of all deaths worldwide
• 80% of chronic disease deaths occur in low and middle income
• Almost half of the chronic disease deaths occur in people under the age of 70
• Around the world, chronic disease affects women and men almost equally
• The major risk factors for chronic disease are an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and tobacco use
• Without action, 17 million people will die prematurely this year from a chronic disease
• One billion adults are overweight – without action, this figure will surpass 1.5 billion by 2015
• 22 million children under five years old are overweight
• Tobacco use causes at least five million deaths each year
• If the major risk factors for chronic disease were eliminated, at least 80% of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes would be prevented; and 40% of cancer would be prevented

Psychiatrists & Therapists specializing in Chronic Illness / Pain:

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