Is it unusual to desire pain?

Question

I have deppression and anxiety problems. Sometimes I feel a desire to feel pain, almost like I miss it. Has anyone else had this feeling?

Answer 1

Be careful when feelings these things, be extra careful if you indulge into them. Inner pain caused by depression and anxiety is an intangible pain that is not easily fixed. The mind then needs to find a way to block the inner anguish by focusing on a different type of pain to help soothe the inner pain. Don't be fooled, this is a form of denial!! The physical pain only redirects the focus on your mind to a cut or physical pain. As your nerves react and shock your brain with pain signals, you mind is totally off the subject of the pain in your mind. You must face your inner problems, self mutiliation is the proper term, and it will only invert the minds focus onto the physical harm your body feels. The inner problems you have will remain their until you face them head on and fight through the depression. I know because I myself indulged into them when my ex-wife left me.

Answer 2

I don't think it's really unusual. I think it is a form of stimulant just like some people like getting on roller coasters, driving fast and doing curves on crowded residential streets, watching scary films. These people get a thrill from those things, and the danger involved. So pain is simply another sensation. Sometimes a person wants to feel pain to feel alive. Sometimes there's some kind of underlying problem like self loathing or guilt that can make a person want to feel pain. You said you miss it when it's not there -- to me that indicates something going on with you that you need to look into. How are you treated by family and friends, how long have you felt this way? Do you recognize any kind of hidden or inner issues with self esteem or identity? Pain can be used to punish oneself, so look into that aspect. Pain is a distractor. You can also get used to pain if you've had it chronically -- you may think on the surface that you want to feel well, but you continue to make choices that cause yourself pain. Pain can becoming numbing and comfortable and can lead you into a mindset of feeling sorry for yourself, or incapacitating you so that you don't have to deal with or face other problems or people. It can be used as a very effective escape from things. The real problem is that the desire for pain isn't your source issue. It's a symptom of something else. You need to figure out why you want or need to feel pain, "what you are getting out of it" as my old therapist once told me. The pain is a pathway that is satisfying or fulfilling something you need that you're not getting in your life. Once you find out what that is and how to get it in a better way that honors yourself, you won't need pain anymore. Don't worry too much about this, just try to find the source, and don't do anything to hurt yourself too much. My doc once told me about "thought stopping" which is where you put a rubber band on your wrist and when you think something you don't want to or shouldn't think about (like say if you have the urge to cut, or an urge to dwell on an upsetting issue, etc.) you snap the rubber band and say "STOP!" Maybe that can work for you by diverting some of your attention and also giving you that little harmless snap (which does hurt, but that is the point.)

Answer 3

It is not healthy or "normal" to desire painful stimulation. There are several theories behide why some people feel this need. However, I do not know anything about your mental health background therefore I cannot give you too much information. I will tell you that if you are self mutliating then you need stop immediately and seek treatment ASAP!!! This is a very dangerous coping mechanism and can be fatal. There are other ways to cope with stressors other than self mutilating. Another possibility is that you may find pain sexually gratifying which is also very dangerous for you and your partner. Again, I don't know your mental health background. Hope this was helpful.

Answer 4

Do you mean physical or emotional pain? Sometimes we block emotional pain as a protective mechanism with depression and anxiety. It is possible to find yourself in a position where you cannot stop blocking the emotional pain.

Physical pain as it is related to depression and anxiety is usually manifested as self-induced pain, most noteably in the form of cutting, that is used to draw the mind away from the emotional pain.

Regardless, its imperative that you are in therapy and that you ask this question of your therapist and discuss why you feel the way you do.

Dusty

Answer 5

The sensation of pain may actually be your way to treat your depression, because pain may increase other neurotransmitters in your nervous system that may active the pleasure-centers of the brain.

A better way to do this is with properly prescribed antidepressant medication.

Answer 6

dissimilar females experience soreness even as the penis persistently is provided in contact with the cervix, esp. if that is forceful. sure, the cramps are unusual and that i might want to point that you try yet another position the position you do not aggravate the cervix. provide it a touch time in case there is a few inner bruising and then attempt a diverse position. If after that, the soreness and cramping occurs back, i might want to truly get it checked extra thoroughly.

Answer 7

Sounds like a symptom of your depression and anxiety problems. Are you in treatment? If not, I recommend that you see a psychiatrist and get meds to help you.

Answer 8

i do im addicted to pain im trying to stop cutting but sometimes when i get back into that mood for more pain i hit myself im trying to styop all of this but i think its normal for pple who are depressed so yeah

Answer 9

yes the phsyical pain helps to distract from the mental pain

Answer 10

I can understand, because what you refer to is pain wanting to experience more of itself.... that isn't you, the pain isn't personal.