Suffering

Layers of dysfunction run deep.

Let's not get too philosophical, but there is a difference between pain and suffering. In my ER, anyway.

Pain is the result of physical injury or illness. It has a origin and quality that can be described; it has a location (in the body); it has an intensity; and it should be accompanied by abnormal physical attributes (e.g., increased blood pressure; deformed, fractured femur; amputation).

Pain is usually situational, but can also be chronic. In the latter case, it is usually episodic, ebbing and flowing.

Suffering is a psychological term for a condition that often accompanies chronic pain, situational or complicated (lasting) grief, and/or other coping dysfunctions. Its manifestations include malaise, lack of interest in self-help and self-care, complaints of unspecified pain and unverifiable illnesses. And it is not usually possible to treat in the ER.

Regardless, patients present with it all the time.