Understanding the brain, pain, body and mind
September is National Suicide Prevention Month and as such, wish to address a complex topic that is often misunderstood; the brain, body, and mind connection relating to “physical and emotional pain”.
How the Mind & the Brain Different?
According to communication pathologist and cognitive neuroscientist Caroline Leaf, the mind is separate, yet inseparable from, the brain. They use one word or the other to talk about the same thing: the organ in our skull that we use to think. However, the mind and brain are two very different, but interconnected, entities. The mind works through the brain but is separate from the brain.
Physical vs. Emotional Pain
While physical pain and emotional pain are different, there is research that suggests that both types of pain share common neurological mechanisms, which can be visualized with MRI technology.
Emotional Pain
Emotional pain is a universal, yet “unseen” affliction that impacts more than just the heart and mind. It’s a silent disruptor with complex roots affecting one’s quality of life. Emotional pain can hurt as much as physical pain.
When people feel emotional pain, the same areas of the brain get activated as when people feel physical pain. Compared to physical injuries, emotional wounds are not easily perceived by others, often leading to psychological pain. The “invisibility” of chronic pain can be isolating, especially in cases when a person’s outward appearance remains the same.
The Effect on Your Body
Emotional pain is pain or hurt that originates from non-physical sources and hurt as much as physical pain. Sometimes this emotional distress is the result of the actions of others. Other times, it might be the result of regret, grief, or loss. In other cases, it might be the result of an underlying health condition such as depression or anxiety. No matter what the cause, this psychological pain can be intense and significantly affect many different areas of your life.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a multifactorial and complex condition and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Defined as pain lasting 3 months, chronic pain can be secondary to trauma, malignancy, and infection. However, it is also a condition in its own right, not purely an accompanying symptom of other ailments. Like many persistent conditions, the biological, psychological, and social aspects of chronic pain are dynamically interlinked leading to widespread biopsychosocial implications, sleep disturbances, fatigue, depression, concentration problems, relationship difficulties and employment issues.
Chronic pain can be a lonely affair: a silent illness which commonly incites disbelief, poor understanding, and a lack of support from the people in their lives. Sufferers may find themselves yearning for visible physical manifestations to support their struggle for credibility.
Conclusion: Science is an ongoing process. Neuroscience has made many beneficial advances, but facts are also evolving as discoveries emerge. We are only on the very cusp of understanding the billions of cells and trillions of connections that form the human brain.
On a personal note: As I researched this universal topic, I learned there is an extensive amount of information relating to the human brain, body, mind, pain connection and as such, kindly encourage your curiosity in exploring any of these topics. For the more we learn about our intricate brain and human complexity, the more we will gain valuable insight in understanding our human dynamics and life experiences.
