6 Things To Say When Someone's In Pain

Do you often struggle with things to say when someone's in pain? Not knowing what to say is one of the universal challenges of being human, especially when it comes to heavy conversations. Talking with someone who is in pain can be even more difficult to navigate whether they reached out specifically for support or not. Sometimes emotions come up suddenly and you may find yourselves having a conversation neither of you expected. If you relate to this and need advice on how to comfort someone and what to say to them, check out this video!

Disclaimer: While none of these examples work for everyone, nor should they be used in place of professional advice, we hope they can guide supportive communication when it’s needed.

Writer: Gabrielle LaFrank
Script Editor: Riley Lin
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
VO: Amanda Silvera
Animator: Murielle Lindsley Dela Rosa
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong

Resource

[sheela]

Is it only me who actually googles "what to tell a friend bc i fear i might tell them something that would make them feel even more miserable.

[scarapoop]

School nurse's version
1. Here's an ice pack
2. Here's an ice pack
3. Here's an ice pack
4. Here's an ice pack
5. Here's an ice pack












6. Do you just want to skip gym class?

[akshada]

Going to meet the family of a friend who died in a car accident on Saturday, today. Thanks for the video.

[meital]

Summary:
1. You have my attention
2. What's your biggest concern right now?
3. I'm here to listen
4. What do you need right now?
5. Do you want to talk about it?
6. I want to understand more so I can help

[jellysworld]

When you have a friend that's feeling down and this just got posted 🥺

[Zuxtron]

The two most important things to realize for me were:
1: Don't say anything that invalidates the other's feelings. Stuff like "it's not so bad", "look on the bright side", "at least you're not..." just makes the person feel like they're wrong to be feeling the way they are. Instead, it's better to just say stuff like "Yeah, that sucks...", "I can understand why that would hurt.", and so on, acknowledging that it's normal to be in pain and need help after whatever they've been through.
2: Don't give advice. Because even if you did somehow figure out the magic bullet solution to fix all of the person's problems, they might not be receptive to it if they're in the middle of a mental breakdown. Worst case, trying to help too much can end up being belittling, especially since, if you can think of doing something after just hearing about the problem, chances are, the person who's actually EXPERIENCED that problem first-hand has thought of it too, and there's a reason why it can't work.

Also, I've made my go-to greeting "How are you feeling today?", which gives an opening for the person to tell me if they need me to, well, apply this video's advice.

[feliciabates]

1. Ighty **writes this down in my stuff to do as a future therapist**
2. I love the animation, looks great

[jaxonwhite]

Thank you for not saying "Just Smile" or "You need to just be positive". My family does this a lot when I'm upset about something and it feels so dismissive. I kinda wish they'd just say "I don't know how to help" or flat-out "I don't care"

[bonakid]

Im the type of friend who’s everyones personal therapist

[savageunitato]

I love this artist. Especially when they draw real humans

Thanks for 161 likes I never got this many I'm so shook and happy you agree with me y'all!

[bipbeedippy]

Sending this to myself, I think I could really use it.

[thelegitpotato]

Every time someone cries on my shoulder I have no idea what to say, I always am terrified that I will just make it worse and they will be even more sad and it will be my fault. My little sister has a ton of trouble with her emotions and I feel like it’s my fault... thank you for this video now I know what to say ❤️

[mystical]

As someone who wears glasses and a jacket, that's me physically and emotionally before lol

[jouska]

1. You have my attention.
2. What's your biggest concern right now?
3. I'm here to listen.
4. What do you need right now?
5. Do you want to talk about it?
6. I want to understand this more so i can help.

[liquite]

My eyes are getting teary imagining if I ever had a friend, even at least for a single day that'd care and would just do whatever this video is about.
It is sad when you try your best to always cheer others and when you see others happy because of you you feel special and happy for some reason but noticing the fact none does the same to you or even tries just upsets you more.

[seraphwithatank]

I need to watch this over and over again; I sick of feeling like I'm not doing a good job. I'm a social person, I know I can do better.

[Vivizqq]

POV: your the therapist friend but you don’t know how to be one

[Cocoah]

*1. You have my attention.*
*2. What's your biggest concern right now?*
*3. I'm here to listen.*
*4. What do you need right now?*
*5. Do you want to talk about it?*
*6. I want to understand this more so I can help.*

[oliviakam]

Personally, I detest it when others say, "I know how you feel." No you don't. No one will ever know the exact pain, suffering, and experiences that cause me so much anguish and torment. Just let me know that you're here for me and that you care. Don't try to understand me because that's impossible.

[MAIONNAISE]

1 you have my attention

2 what’s your biggest concern right now?

3 I’m here to listen

4 what do you need right now?

5 do you wanna talk about it?

6 I want to understand this more so I can help



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