Warm Neutrality Goals

  • Distraction
  • Support for coping
  • Ignore
  • Walk away

Pain-Parent Association

The brain can make a connection between pain and a comforting parent, where proximity to the comforting parent can bring on new symptoms

Warning

Solicitous can turn to Punish when too frustrated

Warm Neutrality

  • Don’t ask about the pain/symptoms
  • Focus on the person
    • not on pain or symptoms
  • Focus on functioning and normalcy.
  • Talking about other things (including emotions)
  • Diversion / Distraction / Redirection
  • Affirm, encourage, and empower

Rewards

Some rewards are OK, when celebrating progress or effort

Re-establishing “Norms”

  • Parents will be parenting their yours as a “typical” teen, not an ill teen
  • Attending events as scheduled on time
  • Contributing to the family (chores)
  • Respectful behavior

Motivation Plan

Consequences

  • A tool that can help break the cycle of chronic pain and POTS
  • Used for unhelpful behaviors that focus on chronic symptoms
  • Strategy to help the brain be motivated to change behaviors that aren’t and haven’t been helpful AND aren’t beneficial for the long term
  • Former patients report it helps them stay on track.

More Information

Consequences Consequences vs Punishment Expectations - Showing Up The Cycle of Chronic Pain Symptoms