How Emotional Pain Affects Your Body

By 
Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD 
Updated on November 10, 2022
 Medically reviewed by 
Steven Gans, MD

Emotional pain is pain or hurt that originates from non-physical

sources. Sometimes this emotional distress is the result of the
actions of others. Other times, it might be the result of regret, grief,
or loss. In other cases, it might be the result of an underlying
mental health condition such as depression or anxiety.

No matter what the cause, this psychological pain can be intense

and significantly affect many different areas of your life.

While it is often dismissed as being less serious than physical pain,

it is important that emotional pain is taken seriously. There are a
number of common feelings that are associated with emotional pain
that can have an impact on both your physical and mental health.

Also Known As: Psychic pain, spiritual pain, psychalgia, emotional

suffering, psychological pain, algopsychalia, soul pain, or mental
pain

Symptoms of Emotional Pain

Symptoms of emotional pain can include feelings of:

 Deep sorrow, sadness, or depression

 Grief
 Intense distress
 Loneliness and isolation
 Negative emotions
 Panic
 Rage
 Shame
 Worthlessness
In some cases, feelings of emotional pain may lead to physical
symptoms that do not have an identifiable physical cause. When
these thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are connected to somatic
symptoms result in significant distress or interruption in a person's
ability to function, they may be diagnosed with a somatic symptom
disorder. 

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Causes of Emotional Pain

There are a number of different emotions that can lead to
psychological pain. Everyone may experience these feelings from
time to time, but when such feelings are intense and persistent,
they can interfere with a person's ability to function and perform
normal daily activities.

Sadness

Sadness is a natural emotion that is associated with loss and

disappointment. However, if it doesn't fade with time, it might point
to a treatable condition, depression, that can impact your whole
body.

If sadness lasts for more than just a few days and impacts your
daily life, it may be necessary to seek out medical intervention.

You should consult with your doctor and be completely honest about
any alcohol or drugs you have been using to cope and self-
medicate.

Unexpressed Anger

Anger is a basic human emotion. It releases adrenaline, which

increases muscle tension and speeds up breathing. This is the
"fight" part of the "fight/flight/freeze" response. It can be mobilizing
at times; however, if it's not adequately managed, this response
can lead to long-term physical consequences.

Anxiety

As with anger, anxiety and fear both also release adrenaline. This
generally results in jumpiness, a tendency to startle easily, the
inability to relax (the "flight" response), or a feeling of being
immobilized or stuck (the “freeze” response).

In some people, anxiety is a symptom of an anxiety disorder, and

psychotherapy or prescription medication can help.

Anxiety can also be induced by substance use, in which case,

quitting alcohol and drugs can often improve the symptoms. Tell
your doctor about any alcohol or drug use to ensure you are
properly diagnosed and treated.

Shame and Guilt

Shame and guilt often result in a feeling of "butterflies" or weight in

the stomach. Common among people with addictions, shame leads
to and is worsened by the need for secrecy.

If not addressed, prolonged feelings of shame and guilt may lead to

physical symptoms.

Impact
Psychological pain can also contribute to or worsen physical pain in
different areas of the body. Some common types of physical pain
that may be connected to emotional distress include:

 Diarrhea
 Dizziness
 Headaches
 Muscle pain, particularly in the neck
 Nausea
 Pain in the arms and legs
  Stomachache or gastrointestinal upset

Emotional pain can also be accompanied by:

 Aggression and violence

 Alcohol or substance use
 Attempted suicide
 Compulsive behaviors including shopping, gambling, and sex
addiction
 Eating disorders
 Risky behaviors
 Self-harm
 Suicidal thoughts

Such behaviors are often an attempt to diffuse or escape the

intense dysphoria caused by emotional pain.

Physical vs. Emotional Pain

While physical pain and emotional pain are different, there is

research that suggests that both types of pain may share some
neurological similarities. Both emotional and physical pain are linked
to changes in the prefrontal cortex and cingulate cortex.

Some researchers argue that rather than viewing emotional pain

and physical pain as fundamentally different, they should be
conceptualized as both being part of a broader pain
continuum. Some types of pain are purely physical while others are
purely emotional; but many times, pain lies somewhere in the
middle.

Emotional Pain Treatment

Treatment for emotional pain often involves addressing the
underlying source of the symptoms, so treatment often depends
upon the individual diagnosis. Psychological conditions such as
anxiety and depression may be treated with psychotherapy,
medication, or a combination of the two.

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy to treat emotional may involve the use of talk
therapy, including specific approaches such as cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT).

CBT focuses on identifying negative thoughts and emotions that

contribute to emotional pain and then replacing these thoughts with
more adaptive, realistic thoughts and behaviors.

Medications

Medications may sometimes be prescribed to address certain

symptoms of emotional pain. Such medications may include:

 Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake

inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft
(sertraline).
 Anti-anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines such as
Valium (diazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam).

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Sometimes alternative treatments such as acupuncture, Tai chi,

yoga, biofeedback, hypnosis, and meditation may also be used to
help alleviate symptoms of emotional pain. 

Coping
Emotional pain can often feel as strong as physical pain and at
times can even cause symptoms of pain throughout the body. It can
also have a detrimental impact on both short-term and long-term
mental well-being, so getting appropriate help and treatment is
important.

Because emotional pain can be so distressing, people often turn to

unhealthy coping mechanisms, including drugs and alcohol. The
problem is that while these methods might provide short-term
relief, they cause greater damage in the long run.

Some healthier ways to manage your symptoms of emotional pain

can include:
  Talking to someone: Social support is critical for emotional
well-being, and talking to a trusted person, whether its a good
friend or a counselor, can help.
 Exercising: Physical activity has been shown to be effective
for improving mood, so it can be a good way to help deal with
feelings of emotional pain. Blowing off feelings of anger with a
run around the block is a better choice than acting out
aggressively. Taking an afternoon stroll can do more to lift
your mood than scrolling endlessly through social media posts.
 Practicing mindfulness: Mindfulness, a mental practice that
involves focusing on the present moment, can be useful when
you are trying to cope with difficult emotions such as anxiety,
grief, sadness, and anger. The process involves not only
becoming more aware of your emotions but also stress
learning to accept and let go of the need to control or
eliminate these emotions.

Most importantly, if symptoms of emotional pain are causing

significant distress or interfering with your daily life, talk to your
doctor or mental health professional.

If you or a loved one are struggling with emotional pain, contact

the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on
support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline

Database.

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