Is fear worse than pain?

Question

It seems you can get used to pain (I had constant sciatica pain for 2 years), but could hardley eliminate fear of not living my life correctly and with a purpose -- whether I was healthy or in pain, fear seemed more powerful than pain. I was wondering if there are other views on this; supportive or otherwise.

Answer 1

Personally I'd rather be afraid than in pain but I have a low threshold for pain. I think overall fear is more crippling than pain. There are things you can take/do to alleviate physical pain. It is much harder to eliminate fear. Some people live their whole lives in fear. It's like a prison, keeping them from living fully. Some don't even realize how fear influences/limits their lives. Pain is more obvious. Fear is more insidious.

Answer 2

It's kind of a cause and affect. Pain exasperates the mind, it can become a mental beating on you, especially from sciatica. Pain can cause fear, but also fear can cause pain. Usually there are group therapies that evolve around issues of living with pain. Maybe it would be best for you to search in your community for a group such as this. Other sufferers may give you some ideas on how to refocus on positive things and may actually make the pain subside. It may become easier for you to cope with the pain if you hear from others who are undergoing the same problems as you are. I would even think about getting alternative means of treatment to ease your pain. I believe your outlook will become much better once your pain is relieved. The "fear factor" you have is normal for someone in constant and chronic pain. Just find a group you can share your feelings with. Maybe you'll find out you are stronger & in better shape than most of them, too.
Good luck.

Answer 3

Absolutely true... When fear grips us, with suggestion of a worse situation and what it meant to confront such a situation... the mind feels as if the situation had already come near and starts to suffer it.... with all the accompanying impact of the probable torment... In geriatrics this is very usual - though much younger people may also get fears with or even without an imminent health set back - for, I feared some diseases in my childhood and used to pester my mother if there were not ways to get rid of serious diseases... And my mother used to say that there was no problem that can not be solved with prayers and set my fears at rest... In my old age the fears are only enhanced by friends who start telling about the probable complications and health care costs of the particular problem we have.... But the seed sown by my mother decades ago helps me to rid myself from the frights that surpass pains day in day out...!

Answer 4

Good question... set me thinking.... and my thoughts have taken me further.

Both pain and fear are time bound... they can not continuously affect us for long due to the great immunization benefit..... yes even mind has this mechanism.

The worst in my view is worry, because it is self inflicted and hence is not subject to immunization. Wisdom of a very high order is required to get over major worries of life. Well, worry is often born out of fear on the one hand and desire on the other..... to that extent, indeed fear is much worse than pain.

Answer 5

I had sciatic pain from a disc for a year, so I know what you mean. There is also fear in my life of the future and what it will bring me. There shouldn't be anything to fear, I guess it is just paranoia. For me I would rather take the fear. Just because you have those special moments (like christmas!) where you can just forget about it and relax for a moment. Even if it is that thumping sub conscience feeling, it is easier to ignore than a thumping, tingly pain going down your leg.

Answer 6

I think fear in a lot worse then pain because it can stop you from expressing yourself as an individual. Take totalitarian governments that use fear as a weapon. People stop acting like individuals for fear of the repercussions from the police. Also individuals may not act the way they feel or voice certain ideas because of fear of what people around them may say or think.

Answer 7

Fear is far worse than pain. That's why some people cut themselves(take their minds off of mental pain). Usually the mind imagines thing far worse than reality.

Answer 8

There are a thousand forms of fear (per AA). Fear can paralize, cripple, numb the mind, and last a lifetime. So yes, I'd say fear is worse.

Answer 9

.I fractured my leg a few years ago and the pain was terrible but although I'd say that fear is worse.When my parents divorced,I started to fear,I was afraid of what will happen to me,to my mum and my sister.I was afraid that I'd never see my dad and sister again and at that time I would have preferred a broken leg to the fear of losing my family.

Answer 10

Yes, fear is the worse sometimes I think we would be better off running around with spears and swords again at least we would have somthing real to fear. Sharp edges everywhere run....