Break down your symptoms in a month- long explor-
ative diary.
Learn more about chronic pain
and it's relationship with your life.
Chronic pain is any type of pain that is experienced regularly for three months or longer. Not to be confused with terminal illnesses, different types of chronic pain may be able to be cured, or symptoms subside over time. One in six New Zealander's have recorded chronic pain (NZMA, 2011) This is often discussed in relation to middle aged to older adults, as it most prevalently affects them. However, increasing numbers of young adults and teenagers are experiencing chronic pain. NZMA data reports 8.6% of 18-24 year Olds experience chronic pain. It is possible that the chronic pain that affects young adults can follow them for the rest of their lives, which is why it's so crucial to learn to manage it early, as well as maintain a positive outlook. Given the level of impact that any pain can have in our everyday lives, from lowering activity levels to interrupting university studies and personal relationships, it's important to be able to get medical help alongside doing this diary.
Chronic pain affects 1 in 6 young adults, even though it is commonly associated with ailing older demographics. Learning to handle chronic pain experienced at a young age can affect the rest of people's lives- for better, or for worse.
This project aims to provide resources for young adults who experience chronic pain, allowing them space to explore and reflect on how chronic pain affects their lives. An intentionally designed blank slate that allows the user to explore ways to improve their quality of life, as well as analyse the impacts of their actions.
Chronic pain doesn't have to be a permanent diagnosis. But even if it stays, it doesn't have to control your life. Learning to advocate for yourself, and how to handle your life, despite the pain, can have massive impacts on your outlook on life and your physical wellbeing. Often in our too-busy world, emphasis isn't placed on slowing down and managing life well, but more about how much you can achieve. It doesn't have to be this way.
Promote the campaign to the target audience, 18-24 year old Auckland university students who experience chronic pain, using posters and other promotional media, a call to action to promote the other outcomes. Sound like you? You're in the right place.
Provide resources through a website, alongside allowing you to track your symptoms in a web- based format. Providing data visualisation can allow you to understand how other factors might impact your symptoms.
A physical symptom diary that you can acquire from medical professionals such as GP's, specialists, and physiotherapists, or from the break-down website. This will allow you to track your symptoms in a more reflective nature.
You can take your digital or physical diary back to a health practitioner to advocate for yourself and see real, tangible results.
