General   (General discussion, talk about anything.)

I've frequently heard comments from people wishing they could swap their particular problems for ones more visible and easier to understand and sympathise with. eg a leg in plaster.

I think the humourous side of things can be a double edged sword.

Putting a brave face on things? Trying to laugh it off? Avoidance?

On the other hand; there's also a posssibility that being over sensitive to 'harmless' comments/descriptions could have a negative effect.

In the sense that getting too PC about it could do more harm than good.

A fine line.

There was a great TV campaign a while back featuring a bloke who had returned to work following a bout of illness. The emphasis was advising folk not to fear treading on eggshells, but to just accept the person.