Why Does ‘Emotional Pain’ Hurt?
Conventionally, we think of physical pain as the type of hurt that we experience when we’re injured or ill. But rarely do we consider emotional pain when pondering the concept of hurt; however, some forms of emotional pain can often be just as intense as physical pain. As we dive further into this concept, let’s explore why emotional pain hurts, some examples of emotional pain, and how to find help for such pain.
What is Emotional Pain?
It’s difficult to explain why emotional pain hurts since pain can be experienced differently from person to person. Though, first, it’s important to understand what emotional pain really is. Generally speaking, emotional pain can be defined as an intense feeling of distress, sorrow, or mental anguish associated with an emotional state or experience. This type of pain is typically distinguished from physical pain, as it is felt more within one’s mind than it is in body’s physical sensations.
Examples of Emotional Pain
The following are a few examples of emotional pain:
• Depression: Feeling excessively sad, or having a deep or prolonged sadness that can prevent one from experiencing joy.
• Anxiety: A feeling of fear and worry that interferes with an individual’s daily life.
• Guilt: A feeling of remorse for an action that has been taken.
• Shame: Experiencing embarrassment for an action that has been taken.
• Grief and Loss: A feeling of sorrow after the death of a loved one.
• Isolation and Loneliness: A feeling of disconnect to the world and the absence of companionship that may lead to depression.
• Betrayal and Rejection: A feeling of hurt and distress when someone rejects or betrays the trust of another person.
Why Does Emotional Pain Hurt?
Now that we have identified a few examples of emotional pain, let’s explore why it hurts. Generally speaking, emotional pain hurts because it causes us to feel overwhelmed by certain thoughts and emotions. One explanation is that the physical sensations of emotional pain have just as much chemical activity in the brain as physical pain does. When we experience emotional pain, it can cause us to feel a range of emotions, such as anger, sadness, or fear. This is because our physical and psychological being is inevitably intertwined.
The deeper an emotion reaches, the greater the pain will be. This is especially true for those emotions that cause us to question our self-image, identity, or self-esteem. In addition to that, emptiness, despair, and isolation are powerful emotions are often linked with hurt, which is why it’s important to find ways to resolve or cope.
Speaking of coping, it can be helpful to talk to someone who is familiar with such emotions and can provide comfort or counsel. For those who have intense or prolonged emotional pain, professional support may be necessary. This could be through therapy or counseling, as generally speaking, answering questions and utilizing certain skills can help alleviate the hurt within emotions.
How To Cope With Emotional Pain and Find Help
Now that we know the why and what of emotional pain, let’s look at how one can find help and cope with such hurt. There are various coping strategies for dealing with emotional pain, depending on the severity of the pain.
• Talk to a friend: Sometimes speaking to a trusted friend or family member can be very beneficial, even if they don’t offer solutions to the problem.
• Challenge negative thoughts: Pay attention to the negative emotions and anxieties, as sometimes observing them more closely can help recognize how to be more aware and in control of them.
• Exercise: Exercise can be particularly helpful for addressing emotional pain, as it nourishes the mind, body, and soul.
• Practice mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness has been proven to improve mental health and well-being, as it teaches people to effectively analyze and recognize their emotions.
• Write: Writing one’s thoughts or emotions can be another form of release, as it helps process and express one’s feelings in a productive way.
• Talk to a professional: Those experiencing intense or prolonged emotional pain may need to seek professional help, such as counseling or therapy, to begin addressing and understanding their emotions.
Conventionally, when discussing hurt, physical pain is thought of; however, often emotional pain can be just as intense. As we’ve seen, emotional pain is an intense feeling of distress, sorrow, or mental anguish associated with an emotional state or experience. Examples of such emotion include depression, anxiety, guilt, shame, grief and loss, isolation and loneliness, and betrayal and rejection. Emotional pain hurts due to the range of emotions it may cause and the potential reaction to one’s self-image, identity, or self-esteem. Fortunately, there are various coping strategies, such as talking to a friend, challenging negative thoughts, practicing exercise, mindfulness, and writing, or seeking professional help for intense or prolonged emotional pain.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that addressing and understanding emotions can help alleviate emotional pain. While it can be difficult to cope with emotions, it’s important to understand that such hurt can be managed with proper support and care.
