My partner and I both have chronic pain conditions and we've fallen into this pattern where we compete over who feels worse instead of supporting each other — we used to be teammates but now we're just two exhausted people who can't help each other anymore. I don't know how to get back to being on the same side when we're both barely managing our own suffering.
More people experience this than they realize.
Shared suffering can turn partners into competitors when they lose sight of their fundamental alliance.
“Where Are You with Pain — acute and chronic management?”
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.