What is ‘Great Pain Shame’ and how common is it?

By Emma Elsworthy by SWNS

Millions of adults are living with Great Pain Shame - a physical condition they are choosing to hide from others.

A study, of UK-based 2,000 people, found 52 percent have an ailment that affects their day-to-day existence, but of these, one in 10 haven’t told a single soul.

And 65 percent have only mentioned it to a select few.

Incontinence, irritable bowel syndrome, peri-menopause and severe period pain are some of the top things adults are choosing to keep to themselves.

While others mask things like back pain, fibromyalgia and skin wounds or conditions.

Staying indoors as much as possible (14 percent), turning down social invitations (13 percent) and avoiding going outdoors in the heat (11 percent), are among the top ways sufferers choose to hide their pain.

Nearly six in 10 (56 percent) would rather not talk to anyone about what they are going through - with 45 percent preferring to try and forget as much as possible.

And 41 percent don't want to be rendered incapable of doing everyday things.

A spokesman for hygiene and health company Essity, which commissioned the study alongside a taboo-busting video series, said: “More than half the nation is currently suffering with a diagnosed condition, which affects them on a daily basis.

“That figure is really incredible and just highlights how important it is to get everyone talking about what they are going through.

"Suffering in silence is not a great remedy for pain - it doesn’t make it easier to manage and doesn’t make it go away.

“While there are practical solutions that make living with a painful condition easier, the first step is having the confidence to talk about it.

“We hope our new video series - Studio Taboo - will help encourage more Brits to speak up about their health and well-being and see that there are millions of others just like them.”

The study, carried out via OnePoll, found those with physical conditions endure an average of three nights of broken sleep every week, and 44 percent experience some sort of discomfort daily.

Exercise is difficult for 35 percent, long journeys are painful for 30 percent, and 24 percent struggle to even sit on the floor.

And they feel weary (45 percent), frustrated (42 percent), irritable (30 percent) and unhappy (28 percent) every single day.

For 62 percent, coping with constant pain has directly affected their mental health and well-being - but 86 percent often find themselves saying they are fine, even when they are not.

Despite this, 38 percent of those who refuse to talk to others about what they are going through are adamant they do not want to be treated differently.

More than a third (34 percent) don’t want others to think of them as old, and 32 percent worry about being judged.

Sadly, of those with a condition, 32 percent are not in employment - with 23 percent citing their condition as the key reason.

For those in the workplace, just 30 percent said every member of their team is aware of their physical ailment.

Of the workers who have refrained from divulging all to the boss, half feel it isn’t their business, while 41 percent don’t feel comfortable sharing.

However, seven percent worry they’d be left out of important meetings and six percent don’t think they’d be consulted for key decisions.

But 79 percent of those with a condition choose to look on the bright side of life - often acknowledging “things could be worse."

Essity’s spokesman added: “Things could be worse, but they could also be better - if only people were prepared to drop the stiff upper lip and turn to others for help.

“Getting the right people around you to listen, the correct diagnosis for what is wrong, and the right products or medication to treat the problem can go a long way to make things more bearable.”

MOST COMMON PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:

1. Back pain
2. Arthritis (rheumatoid, osteo or psoriatic)
3. Asthma
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome/ Crohn’s/ Ulcerative Colitis
5. Diabetes
6. Skin wounds/conditions – including things like eczema or psoriasis
7. Hearing impairment
8. Orthopedic injuries
9. Peri-menopause
10. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
11. Visual impairment
12. Incontinence
13. Fibromyalgia
14. Long Covid
15. Cancer
16. Severe period pain
17. Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
18. Tendinitis
19. Multiple sclerosis
20. Chronic Venous Disease

TOP WAYS PEOPLE HIDE THEIR PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:

1. Staying indoors
2. Turn down social invitations
3. Stay indoors when hot
4. Avoid posting photos on social media
5. Wear loose/ lots of clothing
6. Avoid the gym
7. Avoid using public transport
8. Take longer breaks in the toilet at work
9. Work from home
10. Avoid online dating
11. Avoid swimming/ spas
12. Have long hair
13. Wear incontinence pads/ pants or absorbent underwear
14. Wear sunglasses
15. Wear wound dressing products
16. Avoid beach holidays
17. Avoid events where you have to dress up
18. Avoid going to the hairdressers
19. Keep your camera off on remote video calls
20. Wear a face mask
21. Wear hats
22. Wearing gloves
23. Wear compression garments
24. Always edit photos before posting on social media
25. Avoid using the phone