Would it be a fair assumption to say that all peoples problems are equal in their own minds?

Question

To you it may not seem like my problem is a big one, but it is the biggest problem that I face at the moment, so it affects me just as much as a problem that you may consider to be a greater problem would affect you.

As far as the health problems go, do you think that unitl one is faced with a horrible illness or some other type of incident, your other problems would still FEEL just as important, because up unitl that point, you would not known what it truly like to be faced with your own mortality or some other form of sickness...

Answer 1

That is a relative question.... Though, I do agree with you to an extent.... but there are a few things I would like to expand on, if you don't mind. You are correct to point out that what might seem so trivial to me, may just tear you apart inside and vice versa. But I think there comes a point, that when something is so trivial, and yet that person blows it way out of proportion - - there is usually something else underlying it. Therefore, making that particular problem even worse than it should be. So, instead of focusing on what may seem like a problem to them and not you, it is most wise to seek out why that person is having the reaction that they are. Also, I think that when it comes to death or a severe loss of some sort (e.g. home, job, loved one), we have to understand the severity of that pain. Even though we might look at that pain and say 'how sad for their loss', but where we need to be in our mindset is understanding 'HOW SAD IS THEIR LOSS!'. A problem is all what we make of it... true. But pain is pain, no matter what form it comes in. I may not be able to relate to your problem, but I can most certainly relate to your pain.


I would like to add something else.... I was reading above about how financial problems are not as bad as being a paraplegic. No so.... again, that view is in the mind of the beholder. Some people have been dealing with money problems all their lives, that a physical handicap of some sort (in their minds) may do them some good or they'd be better off. There are stories and news reports of people cutting off body parts for various reasons all the time (pleasure, welfare, etc...)! So although situations like this are hard for us to understand someones way of thinking, but the reality is, that decision of what is or is not tragic is, indeed, in the eye of the beholder.

Answer 2

It would be easier to arrive at a conclusion if we can categorise the problems:

Health Problems
Financial Problems
Relationship Problems
Work/Career Problems
Morality Problems (that gives the feeling of guilt)

Setting aside Health problems, all the other problems are equal in their own minds.

I am setting aside Health problems because, as someone has said above, people would prefer to have financial problems rather than being a paraplegic.

Answer 3

i don't beleive this would be a fair assumption.
some people's troubles (that are minor for some) cause panic attacks so bad they have no ability to function, until they get medicated.
others troubles take such precidence in their own minds that they make irrational judgments and decisions.

i think you might be going by what you remember as a kid, as a kid to me if my friends went out of town for a week it seemed like the end of the world to me.
as an adult you get that same end of the world feeling when say the cops pull you over for something you know you did wrong...obviously one is a bigger problem but you remember giving them equil weight in your mind.
you've always had about the same temprament (mental disposition).
go somewhere like Austrailia or Samoa and ask yourself if these people are putting the same equality into their problems.
it's all about how mentally able you are to distance yourself from your problems, some people can, and some people it takes over everything.


The post just below mine brings up an intresting point...kind of makes me think maslow's hierarchy of needs, would be a good indication of the weight people place on their problems

Answer 4

No...not a fair assumption. My reasoning for that answer is that if you asked someone who had financial problems if their problem was huge they would say yes. But if you then asked them if they would prefer to be a paraplegic for life, they would have to admit that would be a bigger problem. In essence, peoples problems may seem equal in their own minds until asked to draw comparisons.

Answer 5

we all have are problems its life , and it seems some one has hurt you r feeling Iam sorry , but most things do work out if you work on them, and iam sure this will pass as most problems do

Answer 6

I agree with you. Sometimes things that seem little feel so huge. You don't want it to be that way anymore then someone wants it to be.

Answer 7

Yes. It's all relative.

Answer 8

yeah i think its fair to say that