What do you believe hurts more, physical pain or mental pain? How do you deal with each of these?

2018-01-05T22:11:40-05:00

If we have been told anything after having served, we all understand that there are definitely both physical and mental/emotional injuries. Which do you believe are more painful? How do you tend to deal with these experiences?

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jan 5 at 2018 10:13 PM

2018-01-05T22:13:59-05:00

SGT Joseph Gunderson: I have suffered more from my emotional injuries....I have cried, and cried, and cried.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 6 at 2018 6:52 AM

2018-01-06T06:52:26-05:00

I would guess that it’s more common for people to have a harder time with emotional pain

Response by PO3 Jay Rose made Mar 16 at 2024 3:28 PM

2024-03-16T15:28:39-04:00

I know this post is a bit old now, but an interesting phenomenon that far too many veterans do not often think about is how physical pain and mental pain are inherently linked. They feed off of each other and have a certain dynamic that makes their sum total exponentially worse if EITHER escalates. I have personally dealt with both varieties and have seen this first hand. I have also discussed it with many other veterans and civilians alike.

Take physical pain for example, if we cannot control that pain for one reason or another it results in lethargy, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and/or other psychological conditions that will only limit our ability to be more mobile. The resulting decreased mobility causes weakness and potentially even diminished core strength. That results in even MORE physical pain than we started out with!!! That increased physical pain subsequently exasperates our emotional pain!!! It’s certainly one hell of a vicious cycle. I call it the “Pain Triad.”

The “answers” are unfortunately far more easily said than done as if you asked me 5 or 10 years ago, I would have simply said that “attitude is everything” and to not sound cliché, “we each have the choice to be happy.” Over the past few years my physical disabilities went into overdrive, enough to get rated from 0% to 100% in just 9 weeks! That was also 20 years POST discharge! Thank goodness for the PACT Act as it was truly a lifesaver in many regards, but while it should have opened many more doors at the VA, my longtime primary left and I feel as the resulting providers have truly failed me. That said, it’s very difficult to maintain a bona fide positive attitude when so much is stacked against you. I could say with certainty that my Zoloft and VA Psychiatrist that prescribes it have made a ton of difference, allowing me to keep my head above water! So, this phenomenon is far more dynamic than I originally thought.

That brings me to say that, well, they BOTH suck, it’s hard to quantify which one is actually “worse” when they’re so intertwined. We also perceive things differently and what one person feels could never truly be felt by the next individual because we all perceive pain in our very own unique ways. So, one type may be perceived as worse by one person, but not by the next, and yet another realizes the delicate balance making them suck together. What I could hopefully offer to bring to the table is that we could hopefully make it suck a bit less by (1) actively being cognizant that both types of pain really do feed off of one another. (2) Behavioral healthcare must be a PRIORITY as it could break the cycle or at least help enough to keep us moving forward. We also do need to be mindful that behavioral healthcare is a very sensitive topic and getting the right providers is an absolute must as the wrong providers or medications could backfire and segue into a negative outcome. (3) We need to advocate for ourselves because NOBODY could advocate better! (4) Increase “mobility” on our terms and as per our own capabilities. And, finally (5) it may be difficult, but at least TRY to “choose happiness,” because nobody could ever take it from us without our explicit consent! It may even take antidepressants to help get there, but again, this is a complex triad with many complex parts. I need to keep reminding myself of this, so I do recognize how difficult such a mind shift could be. Some may even say that perpetual happiness is not natural, but to each their own.

Ultimately, I know that these things have kept me personally going when both physical and emotional tolls have been stacked against me. I certainly wish that I had better answers, especially for myself, but this is how I’ve perceived the sum total and hopefully it will help someone else that may not have these minimal answers to even work with.

I’d love to hear any thoughts! Be well!

Response by SSG Steve Knox made Mar 28 at 2024 12:06 PM

2024-03-28T12:06:38-04:00

For me, it's the mental pain. You can mentally block out physical pain, but I have yet to master the art of blocking mental pain. It's in your head and catches you off guard when you don't expect it. Forums like the helps by sharing with other Warriors. My go to mental pain blocker is PRAYER.

Response by LTC Thomas (Tom) Jones made Mar 28 at 2024 3:49 PM

2024-03-28T15:49:03-04:00

I got blown off the top of a bunker in Vietnam requiring a ten day stay in the USAF (A++ treatment) hospital at Cam Rhan Bay. The greater pain, however, was the Dear John I got four months into my tour. That is the pain I remember most.