Episode3 Segment 3 - How are feelings, thoughts, and actions connected?
Fast Fact
There are ways to
cope better with
pain by managing
what you think
and what you do
It is important to understand that how we feel about pain, can influence our thoughts and actions and have an impact on pain itself. To see this connection, look at the example in the table below.
EVENT | FEELING | THOUGHT | ACTION | EFFECT ON YOU |
---|---|---|---|---|
Flare up of pain in the stomach while at school | Anger | Why does this have to happen to me? | Demand to be allowed to go back to sick bay | Pain worse. You feel angry and isolated |
Acceptance | This hurts, but I'm not in danger. | Use a distraction technique while remaining in the classroom | Pain improved. You are in control and happy to be able to complete the school task | |
Sadness | This will never go away. | Go to sick bay and curl up with a hot pack | Pain worse. No sense of control |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please remember it is normal to experience feelings of sadness from time to time, especially when life is not going as you would like. However, if you are feeling sad a lot of the time, or if there are times that the sadness is so intense that it is hard for you to cope, then it is very important that you talk with someone. Tell your parents, or an adult that you trust, about how you are feeling. You can also make an appointment to talk with a counsellor or psychologist. If you feel you would like to talk with someone right away, then there are 24 hours telephone help-lines that you can use. Some are especially for young people to use if they need someone to talk to. Talking about the problems won’t necessarily make them go away, but many people find it helps.
For young people between 5 years and 25 years.