FACT: The brain does not recognize the difference between physical and emotional pain.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US: If we see a friend get cut and bleed all over the place, we rightly freak out and offer help. Yet, when we see someone in emotional pain, they usually pretend they're not hurt, and we pretend we don't notice.
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There are a lot of stigmas around emotional pain, while few exist for physical pain.
Imagine if someone broke their arm or dislocated their shoulder, and after coming to you screaming in pain, you replied, “You know, maybe you should just change your attitude about your shoulder,” or “Just stay positive, you’ll be back to new in no time.”
Unfortunately, for a lot of people who suffer from depression, anxiety or PTSD, this is what happens.
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teemo1
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I agree to a certain point and I understand where you are coming from and the point you are trying to make.
Equally, not all physical pain is visible and physical pain is grossly misunderstood.
For example, if a person had a open fracture of their arm it is visible and there is no question that people can see the trauma and therefore imagine and BELIEVE the pain.
However, I suffer from a systemic inflammatory auto-immune disease. I was born with it. I have been in pain for most of my life until I hit the age of 32 when the pain overtook my whole body and the disease started attacking my organs.
I am in constant extreme pain now
No one can "see" my pain.
No one other than me can measure my pain.
In fact to look at me on most people wouldn't think that there was anything seriously wrong with me.
But I sought medical help and it was only when my heart was affected at age 32 that drs started to listen.
But even though I have multiple diagnosis many people tell me to "drink a tumeric latte" or "try deep breathing." I call them "the broccoli smoothie brigade." Just my sense of humour.
I have developed MEDICAL PTSD because I have been in absolute agony, sitting in a hospital bed telling medical professionals how bad my pain is and for years they labelled me as having MH issues.
In fact they caused a MH issue, medical PTSD which has resulted from years of bad care are Drs ignoring my invisible pain. Family members have been hurtful and cruel too. And I held a career down until I could do it no more.
So I do understand your point. Mental health services are lacking and only you can experience your pain. But I suppose I'm trying to make the point that this can happen to patients with physical pain too and their treatment by others can actually lead to MH or emotional problems.
Definitely true. I feel pains and uncomfortable feelings in my body that I know are psychosomatic. It is the brain trying to make sense of emotional pain.
And I would argue that it is not a fact that the brain cannot tell the difference between physical and emotional pain.
Neuro-mapping has allowed neurologists, neurosurgeons and anesthesiologists who also specialise in pain management to have a better understanding big how the brain interprets pain.
When we are physically injured or suffer an infection which caused pain or a if someone has a systemic inflammatory condition the nerve synapses communicate this to the appropriate part of the brain to help release a cocktail of hormones/endorphins to alert us to the pain and help tackle it.
There is no question that any form of stress or constant state of heightened anxiety can cause physical pain because the central nervous system becomes over sensitive which in turn can cause physical pain .
But to say that it is a fact that the brain cannot tell the difference between emotional and physical pain is highly debateable in my opinion.
It sounds like you’d amend the original post to say, “there’s a lot of stigma around invisible pain.” (Emotional or physical). I agree with that. It’s so hard seeing people dismiss other people’s pain. I’m sorry that happened to you for so many years.
Yes, Any type of ongoing unbearable pain whether emotional or physical is awful. It is such a relief to find someone who will believe and recognise the pain.
It is often the case that people can only really empathise about pain after they have been through it themselves, in my opinion.
Sorry, I'm a little confused, can you clarify what you mean by saying I've amended the original post please?
Oh, yes, I just meant, the original post up there says, “There are a lot of stigmas around emotional pain, while few exist for physical pain.” I was thinking about how that statement could be rewritten to capture your viewpoint. This is what I came up with, but feel free to disagree! 😀“There are a lot of stigmas around invisible pain, period (emotional or otherwise.)”
Thank you friends I'm so glad to be in this connection. All your shares are truthful heartfelt with lots of compassion and respect I think suffer of any kind of suffering in the long run makes us be more human with capacity for love and empathy.
I have a question I was taking 100mg Surtraline for 6 months. I feel it was more hinder than help so I tapering it of about 7 mg a week some time two weeks depending how I feel. This week I taper down to 50mg. for some reason in the back of my mind that once the taper complete I may run in to problems. Would take supplements can be helpful? if it is what kind? Thanks for all your encouragements and experiences.
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Anxiety and physical pain
Severe emotional pain and rejection 
Emotions
Physical symptoms of anxiety. 
