Book Review: Living With Chronic Pain

In this autobiography, Dr Dawn Macintyre walks readers through the experience and battle with chronic pain throughout her life. Her life’s journey living beyond simply coping with the challenges of such pain is related in a conversational and positive way. The author authentically examines turbulent times of her life and explains how she got through it, presenting a raw and real narrative. For counsellors without lived experience of chronic pain or chronic health conditions, this book is useful in highlighting some common experiences, including difficulties in dealing with medical systems, feelings of grief, and the impact of chronic pain on relationships, identity, and everyday life.

Dr Macintyre has a doctorate in stigmatised conditions and brings her experiences and expertise as a clinical counsellor and chronic pain behaviourist to her writing. This enables her to interweave theoretical knowledge and practical advice into her personal experiences with chronic pain. Specifically, she highlights the impact of not only invisible chronic health conditions but also the added complexity and nuance in experience when someone is diagnosed with a stigmatised condition. People with experiences of marginalised discrimination or disadvantage may not find their realities mirrored in the author’s reflections on her personal circumstances. However, this book still holds value for those with lived experience of disability and exclusion due to a lack of social awareness and education of chronic pain.