Summary
In this podcast episode, the hosts explore the history of emotional pain in Western medicine and how it has been separated from physical pain since the 17th century. They discuss how other cultures view mental and physical pain as deeply connected, and provide a consensus definition of emotional pain as a lasting, unsustainable, and unpleasant feeling resulting from negative appraisal of an inability or deficiency of the self. The hosts also touch on social pain and how it piggybacks on our existing physical pain system because social bonds were so important to survival.
The hosts note that while there are differences between physical and emotional pain, both types of pain are real and can have a significant impact on a person's well-being. They discuss various manifestations of emotional pain, particularly in people with borderline personality disorder (BPD), and how it can lead to inappropriate anger, dissociation, emptiness, emotional instability, substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and even suicide.
The podcast also explores treatments available, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy, which aim to help people accept emotional pain and deal with it better. However, there is also controversy surrounding the idea of accepting emotional pain versus treating it with medication.
The hosts encourage listeners to call in or email with their own questions or comments, as seen with a listener named John who called in to discuss the origin of the word "pu" and its connection to spitting out something bad for you. Overall, the podcast highlights the importance of recognizing emotional pain and its impact on individuals, and provides insights into various ways to cope with it.
