The difference between pain and suffering

Stephen Liben MD, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University, Director of the Montreal Children's Hospital Pediatric Palliative Care Program shares that "the pain is obligatory, the suffering that's optional" with Canadian Virtual Hospice.

[@Thrillin_Chillin_Drillin]

Pain is somewhat necessary for our existence but agony is the suffering due to the unnecessary sensitivity of pain from intense injury or torture. In other words pain helps us learn what is safe or not while agony pointlessly makes you scream or moan and wish you were dead or never born. Like a long cramp, abscess toothe, being lit on fire etc. Similarly, these have emotional effects as well. Failing a test is painful but just try again. Being rejected by your crush and they date your worst enemy, somebody close to you dying of rectal cancer, is agonizing to watch. I had to deal with it all.

[@spelworldstream]

the longer u live, the more u will realize that the only things that truly exist in this reality is merely pain, suffering and futility. litsen everywhere you look in this world werever there is light there will always be shadows to be found as well. as long as there is a concept of victors the vanquished will also exist

[@BeesKneesvolts]

Pain is physical and is only felt, suffering is mental and is only experienced. While being lived Pain can be enjoyable at times suffering is never enjoyable while being lived.

[@koumis159]

lately im suffeting from pain

[@jeffforsythe9514]

And I am suffering your pun...........................falun dafa

[@averageweirdkid]

I wanna die, my life is kinda crap, I am experiencing pain AND suffering, how should I deal with this?

[@CanadianVirtualHospice]

We are so sorry to read this, and our hearts go out to you. When pain and suffering become unbearable it can feel like there is no point in going on. Although we don’t know your circumstances, it sounds like it would be very important for you to talk to your health care providers about how you are feeling. There are many resources within hospice and palliative care and within the health care system to help with and support you through your pain and suffering, whether it be physical, emotional, or even spiritual. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, seek help immediately. You could call the crisis line in your community or area. If you google “Crisis Support “or “Crisis Line” and the name of your city or community, it is usually easy to find. You may or may not have visited our site Canadian Virtual Hospice (www.virtualhospice.ca). We provide information and support on advanced illness, palliative care, death, dying and grief. You might want to look at the many resources and articles on our site under “Supports” including Ask a Professional and our Discussion Forums which are facilitated by an experienced palliative care nurse. There are also many articles under “Topics”. If you live in Canada, you will find contact information about programs and services here: Programs and Services We sincerely hope you reach out to your health care team or your local crisis centre . We will be thinking of you, The Canadian Virtual Hospice