Staring Off Into The Distance
When Chronic Pain Makes Eye Contact Hard: It’s Not Personal — It’s Pain A personal reflection on the hidden ways chronic pain affects connection — and what loved ones can do to understand. Disclaimer: This post is based on my personal experiences with chronic pain. It is shared in the hope of fostering understanding and is not medical advice . If you are dealing with chronic pain or supporting someone who is, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. I was in the middle of a conversation when I noticed something: I wasn’t making eye contact. Not because I was distracted or uncomfortable with the person, but because the pain I was feeling had taken over so much of my attention that looking someone in the eyes felt like one more thing I simply didn’t have the capacity for. When I consciously tried to hold their gaze, the effort made the pain feel even more present. In that moment, it clicked. The lack of eye contact wasn’t a reflection of how I felt about them o...