Which pain is worse?
By Amber
@AmbiePam (115195)
United States
March 17, 2026 8:30am CST
I asked someone once which would you rather deal with, assuming you had to. Emotional pain or physical pain. I said I would rather have physical pain. They said that surprised them because of all the physical pain I’ve been subject to, they thought I’d automatically “prefer” the other.
However, I remember going through emotional hell with my mom, and years of battling depression. I’ll take a really bad back over a desolate feeling.
Which would you choose?
13 people like this
13 responses
@FourWalls (84056)
• United States
4h
Physical pain. Nobody tells you to “just get over” physical pain the way they do the emotional pain.
5 people like this
@snowy22315 (204540)
• United States
4h
I think for me it would depend on the degree of each. Neither are a desirable state of course.
2 people like this
@patgalca (18482)
• Orangeville, Ontario
5h
With someone who deals with chronic pain and depression, that is a hard question to answer. And some of the physical pain I went through was pretty bad (like when I feel on the ice in January, or giving birth 
), but physical pain comes to an end at some point, emotional pain can go on forever. Friends that were mean to me in high school affected who I am today. That's more like emotional scarring but to think back on it is a little painful.
), but physical pain comes to an end at some point, emotional pain can go on forever. Friends that were mean to me in high school affected who I am today. That's more like emotional scarring but to think back on it is a little painful.2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (170172)
• United States
5h
Physical pain any day... I can always take pain meds for that and it will help but there's nothing you can do about emotional pain except wait for the years to slowly dull it for you.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (49985)
• Staten Island, New York
1h
I’d probably have to say physical pain as I don’t take it very well.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51517)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
4h
I'm not sure... I have a high tolerance for pain, either sort. I just tend to ignore it.
1 person likes this
@stapllotik (1934)
• India
3h
You can use a painkiller to subside physical pain, but emotional pain stays with you in life and even after life.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55996)
•
5h
I have to agree with you on your choice. Physical pain isn't fun. It can change a life, it can last for years, or it can be short-lived but intense. But emotional pain and the scarring it can leave is terrible to see, and in many cases, it can affect the remainder of your life, as well as affect those who know and love you.
1 person likes this
@LooeyVille (76)
• United States
Just now
100% physical pain is easier for me to endure than emotional pain.
