Coping with Pain: Part 1

In our culture we often tend to look for a “quick fix” and want to “get rid” of pain as quickly as possible. Most people want to get rid of pain and avoid it. We see this by the large numbers of people who are compulsively shopping, drinking, drugging, overeating and gambling. Having affairs and sexual compulsions are additional forms of avoiding pain. Engaging in self-injurious behavior is yet another example. However, wanting to “get rid” of it creates an internal fight that likely actually makes the pain worse.

It is very important to develop coping strategies that can be used for the rest of your life to deal with pain and problems more effectively. One suggestion is to observe your pain with curiosity and interest. Put your attention on the pain rather than focusing on what is causing it. Allow yourself to feel it. This will create some distance between you and the pain and hopefully less identification with it. This will give the pain less power and give you greater autonomy.