Different people approach pain in different ways. This is largely determined by the personality of the individual, so that we come to fall into some particular attitude toward our pain without giving the matter any real consideration.
It will be seen that each approach has some merit and some disadvantages. You will be able to see which method you yourself are unconsciously using, and you will be better able to assess its strong points and its dangers.
Enduring the Pain-One can simply endure the pain. There is an absence of psychological reaction. “The pain is there. I have got it. That is all there is to it,” This is an attitude of a rather stoic and well-integrated personality.
The disadvantage of such an approach is that nothing is done to alleviate the pain. The individual merely endures it, suffers it, and puts up with it as best he can. The advantages are rather on the negative side. Inasmuch as there is no reaction, no distress, no guilt or fear, the pain is not made worse by any untoward response on the part of the sufferer.
*125\57\2*
