The Difference Between Physical And Emotional Pain
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

The Difference Between Physical And Emotional Pain

People should pay just as much attention to their emotional health as they do their physical health.

1784
The Difference Between Physical And Emotional Pain
pixabay.com

I'm no stranger to physical pain. Having Crohn's Disease, I am accustomed to being in pain, as sad as that is, and perhaps luckily, I can't really remember what it was like before I had this illness. This definitely keeps me from dwelling on the past. There are good days and bad days of course, and now that my medication is working there are days where I don't feel any pain, and even forget that I am sick. Every time I have a bad day though, it's like I'm reliving it again for the first time. Because, for some reason, every time I feel better, my body and mind immediately forget what it was like to experience a bad day.

A few weeks ago, my sorority had a mixer. As soon as I got there, my stomach started to hurt more than I have been accustomed to. While not as bad as pre-diagnosed pain or pre-medication pain, it hurt enough to make me think "Ow, something is wrong. I'm not going to make it through the night." Despite my best efforts of trying to soldier through, I left early and went to bed.

When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't remember my stomach ache. But I could remember the tears that I had held back as I walked back to my car, and how alone I had felt when I went to bed. It got me thinking back to all the other times I could recall emotional pain, but not physical pain.

I can remember the pain from when a boy told me he didn't love me anymore, and when my friend died. But when I try to remember any sort of physical pain, my mind (thankfully) doesn't let me re-experience it or even really remember it. I don't know if this is some kind of natural coping mechanism, but at least in my case, my memories are unable to recall physical pain. However, it is incredibly easy to feel emotional pain in complete clarity whenever I remember a distressing event.

This perhaps, is one of the reasons why emotional pain is considered to be worse than physical pain. As soon as someone's physical pain is over, it is relatively forgotten, but emotional pain can return. Add in the fact that physical pain garners more empathy and attention, while emotional pain is often an afterthought, and the recurrence of emotional pain can cause long-term issues. It is why people can develop mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, and emotional pain can even stem from physical pain, especially if an injury or surgery was emotionally traumatic to experience. However, it is impossible to feel that same type of physical pain from a memory, and in order to feel it you have to go through the exact same experience again.

While physical pain can have an extreme effect on our bodies and even change the way we behave, emotional pain can leave scars too; people just don't think to look for them.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58486
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37691
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959276
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

193918
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments