4. Who is More Prone to Pain?

Adults who, as children, lived in unsafe, neglectful, or possibly abusive environments are more susceptible. Children constantly worried about their next meal, whether their mother had had too many drinks, or faced an overly strict and unsupportive father. When a child’s brain is perpetually filled with anxiety and fear, it activates a high-alert mechanism that can persist for years, often intensifying over time. As adults, they might react sensitively to even minor triggers. Many of these individuals develop numerous illnesses and pain, and some become disabled.

Another group susceptible to chronic pain includes perfectionists. These individuals strive for flawlessness in everything they do and say, placing immense pressure on themselves. This constant pressure can manifest as pain.

Self-judgment can also play a role. Do you often feel that your efforts are never good enough? How do you feel when you compare yourself to others? Does your pain intensify during such moments of self-doubt and comparison? Recognizing and addressing this tendency to self-judge is crucial to self-acceptance and inner peace.

People-pleasers are also at risk. Do you consistently place undue pressure on yourself, sometimes more than you can handle, just to satisfy others? Do you go out of your way to assist someone, hoping they’ll see you as kind and helpful? Continually putting others before yourself can be emotionally draining. By constantly prioritizing others over your own needs, due to a fear of disappointment, you might neglect your well-being.

Additionally, those prone to depression, especially as a result of unresolved traumas, are more susceptible to pain, as are individuals who have a tendency to catastrophize situations.