IDENTIFYING PAIN

Emotional pain can present itself in different ways. Anger, irritability, sadness, guilt, anxiety, fatigue, withdrawing from family and friends, and risky behaviours can all relate to an unresolved emotional wound.

As with a physical injury, the first step in the healing process is to understand where the pain is coming from. In this emotional context, pinpointing the root cause of pain provides a fundamental awareness of its origin and nature.

This process is not about assigning blame but rather gaining insight. A little like a diagnostic assessment, it involves delving into past experiences, relationships, and internal reflections to uncover the origins of the pain. This may reveal unresolved traumas, unmet needs, or patterns of thinking and behaviour that contribute to the emotional hurt.

Origin of Pain

Remember, although you feel the pain now and your current relationship may be triggering a response, the origin of the pain does not necessarily have to come from your current relationship. By looking more deeply, you may discover that it stems from past experiences, and this will give you an opportunity to address and untangle those deep-seated wounds.

Where the pain stems from a complex or traumatic origin, it can be beneficial to seek professional support from a registered therapist or counsellor. They can help you to process past traumas and support you in coping with any powerful emotions that are released.

Use the worksheet to help start the process of identifying where your pain is coming from.