What an applicable question to chronic pain! I'm so curious to see how other people answer this one.
To me this one (referring to chronic pain specifically, applied to the world at large it would take so much longer to answer) is easily answered by a great, big, huge, resounding, "YES!!!" In order to explain further, allow me tell you a story:
In the fall of 2008 Doctor number 500 (approximation, actual numbers may vary) decided that the Sport's Medicine department could do no more for me because, congratulations to me, I had chronic pain! They immediately shipped me off to a Chronic Pain Rehabilitation program that was both a blessing and a curse at the same time.
They immediately told me to stop talking about the pain. We were not to share pain levels, even with family. Ans also to avoid the topic of pain or our condition when talking to others. It was a crazy thought to me; ignoring the most obvious topic of conversation, after all, the pain is with me every nanosecond! But I, like an obedient patient, and I did as they said.
There are still people I am close to to this day who do not know that I have any sort of chronic condition. I worked full time this summer without letting on to any of my co-workers that there is anything 'abnormal' about me besides food intolerances.
There's such a fine line that we, as people living with chronic conditions, balance on every day. One side is dwelling on the pain, bringing it up in every conversation, letting it run my life. The other side is not acknowledging my needs and my unique situation, not letting others see my struggles, and pushing through too much.
Where does the balance lie for you?
So, in summary. Yes. I think it is completely possible! I have become the master of the stonewall, not showing the physical pain that I am in. I am lying to the world, sometimes for my own benefit, without saying a single word.
