Physical pain v/s emotional pain

[petrushka.googol]

Pain is perceived by the nociceptors. This is the attribute of physical pain.

 

How does this differ from emotional pain ?

 

Are the same pathways involved ?

[Strange]

Some recent research has shown that (some) painkillers also reduce emotions: http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/apr/14/paracetamol-may-dull-emotions-as-well-as-physical-pain-new-study-shows

 

So, presumably, there are some common pathways.

[iNow]

Can the OP ask a more specific question, share what they know already?

[CharonY]

To be precise, nociceptors do not cause sensation of pain. They are generated in the brain and signals from nociceptors can lead to activity of the respective brain areas.

Now, emotional distress has some overlaps, but there are also distinct differences and again, the brain is the important factor and not so much the respective sensory pathways.

For some references: Eisenberger, Nat Rev Neuroscience, 2012; Wager et al. N Engl J Med 2013 368:15.

[jamieoverton727]

1.memorie trigger emotional pain but not physical pain.

2.we use physical pain as distraction from emotional pain but not vice versa.

3.physical pain garners far more empathy from others than emotional pain.

4.Emotional pain echoes in ways physical pain does not.

5.Emotional pain but not phhysical pain can damage our self-esteem and long term mental health.

[Phi for All]

I was going to start this thread, in response to a recent rant about annihilating the whole planet as an end to pain and suffering.

 

Presumably, there's a difference between physical pain, which is actually beneficial in a lot of ways, and suffering, or emotional pain. We have a lot of ways to approach this discussion, physiologically, psychologically, philosophically (is life worth the suffering?).

 

Physiologically (since we're in Anatomy now), it sounds like there are some overlaps with emotional distress. Pain can lead to suffering, or exacerbate it. We know that physical pain does lots of beneficial things (it makes you remove your hand from the really hot thing, it reminds you not to touch a hot thing like that again, and it keeps you from using the burned hand while it heals), but are there any physiological benefits to emotional pain?

[Strange]

 

5.Emotional pain but not phhysical pain can damage our self-esteem and long term mental health.

 

Chronic (physical) pain can cause depression and lead to suicide.

 

 

We know that physical pain does lots of beneficial things (it makes you remove your hand from the really hot thing, it reminds you not to touch a hot thing like that again, and it keeps you from using the burned hand while it heals), but are there any physiological benefits to emotional pain?

 

Maybe it prevents you getting burned in more metaphorical ways.

[Acme]

...but are there any physiological benefits to emotional pain?

The fight or flight response that may be produced by Fear has benefits to survival.

[Phi for All]

 

Maybe it prevents you getting burned in more metaphorical ways.

 

Probably straying over into Psych, but is there more to it than "you need to suffer so you appreciate happiness more"? There are many opportunities for understanding and knowledge when we're suffering, if we can see from that perspective. But is there a physiological reason for dwelling on the suffering, for allowing it to consume your thoughts (assuming you aren't actively being tortured or something)? I suppose I'm referring to the average person who claims life is all suffering and pain.

 

The fight or flight response that may be produced by Fear has benefits to survival.

 

Great example. And smaller amounts of fear can keep us on our toes, keep us wary and watching for interruptions in normal patterns. So there are physiological benefits to emotional pain and fear.