We aren’t the pain we feel.

It can be easy to identify ourselves by our conditions and develop a "fix me" patient mentality.
 
Change your thinking from "I'm a patient in pain" to "I'm a person living well, despite the pain." Change your thinking from "The pain controls me" to "I'm in control."
 
I no longer identify myself by my diagnosis or even as a chronic pain patient. I'm defined by who I am and what I do.
 
I'm Tom Bowen – husband, father, dog father, Iowa Hawkeye fan, clown, friend, author, educator, and pain advocate.
 
I'm not Tom Bowen – neuroma of amputation stump, post-concussion syndrome, tinnitus, hearing loss, fibromyalgia, chronic pain syndrome, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, costochondritis, neuropathy, migraine/chronic headaches, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, anxiety, and depression.

I'm in control.
 
Need help changing/controlling your thoughts?
Check out these resources:

• Managing Chronic Pain: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach
• How Cognitive Control Can Boost Well-Being
• Replacement Thought Examples
• Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress
• Doing What Matters in Times of Stress: An Illustrated Guide
• DIM SIM Therapy
• The Pain Management Workbook