Which pain is worse?
By Amber
@AmbiePam (118813)
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?
23 people like this
19 responses
@FourWalls (85800)
• United States
17 Mar
Physical pain. Nobody tells you to “just get over” physical pain the way they do the emotional pain.
6 people like this
@snowy22315 (207173)
• United States
17 Mar
I think for me it would depend on the degree of each. Neither are a desirable state of course.
3 people like this
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
17 Mar
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 (173667)
• United States
17 Mar
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
@Deepizzaguy (121031)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
17 Mar
I can handle emotional pain better than physical pain since I have hope that emotional pain will pass while physical pain is terrible to deal with.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (88860)
• Rupert, Idaho
17 Mar
Having been through both kinds of pain for a long time...I think I'd rather deal with emotional...the physical pain is part of why I have emotional pain though too.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (88860)
• Rupert, Idaho
17 Mar
@AmbiePam I am still not fully sure lol, it might be about 50/50...just really dislike the physical pain.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (76916)
• Philippines
18 Mar
I would rather have physical pain. Physical pain can be medicated. Emotional pain, not that easy to cure.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (51721)
• Staten Island, New York
17 Mar
I’d probably have to say physical pain as I don’t take it very well.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18182)
• Raurkela, India
18 Mar
Emotional pain is dangerous which can shatter your life. People go mad because of mental pain. Physical pain at times leads to emotional pain.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (220546)
• United States
18 Mar
I don't know. I've had both in varying degrees.
1 person likes this
@stapllotik (1934)
• India
17 Mar
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
@Jehanne (1409)
•
18 Mar
Both isn't a good experience. And I don't think either of them is worst than the others.
When you go through physical pain it'll affect you emotionally too. And when you're emotionally hurt you go through physical pain as well especially when your health deplete due to emotional stress.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51746)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
17 Mar
I'm not sure... I have a high tolerance for pain, either sort. I just tend to ignore it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57996)
•
17 Mar
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
