Pain and suffering

Suffering is a complex and negative affective and cognitive state characterized by a sense of threat and helplessness in the face of adversity. Suffering leads us to respond emotionally based on how we assess a situation. It is a subjective response. A person suffers when they experience significant physical or psychosocial harm and believe—and this is where the problem lies—that they lack the resources to cope with the situation.
While suffering is an emotion focused on an uncertain future, pain is experienced in the present. It is crucial to understand that emotional state affects the perception of pain, just as pain influences emotional state. This interaction between pain and emotion means that when we are in a positive state (joy, optimism, humor), we perceive pain with less intensity.
Bisquerra highlights that fostering these positive emotions helps to prevent and, to some extent, overcome pain. He also reminds us that in situations of anxiety and depression, pain tends to be more intense. Emotional education is a discipline that can help us develop emotional competencies, allowing us to live better with our emotions.