Mental health suffering
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Understanding Mental Health Suffering: Insights from Recent Research
Defining Mental Health Suffering
Distinction from Other Psychiatric Symptoms
Mental health suffering is a complex and multifaceted experience that extends beyond conventional psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and pain. It encompasses severe, prolonged distress and is often linked to a wide array of noxious sensations, deficits, losses, and thwarted motivations affecting universal human needs, from basic biological issues to existential concerns of meaning and purpose1. This distinct nature of suffering necessitates a unique approach in psychiatric care, focusing on the subjective and multidimensional aspects of the patient's experience1.
Depression and Suffering: Separate Yet Interconnected
Research indicates that while depression and suffering are closely related, they are distinct forms of distress. Depression tends to have stronger associations with various dimensions of well-being compared to suffering. However, individuals experiencing both moderate-severe depression and suffering exhibit the lowest levels of well-being, suggesting that concurrent experiences of these conditions are particularly disruptive6. This distinction underscores the importance of addressing both depression and suffering independently in mental health interventions.
Psychological Suffering During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Impact on Health Professionals
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly exacerbated psychological suffering among health professionals. Studies show that frontline workers exposed to COVID-19 patients experience higher levels of anxiety, depression, somatizations, and insomnia compared to their counterparts in other fields2. This heightened psychological distress is attributed to the uncertainty and risks associated with their work environment during the pandemic2.
Suffering in Individuals with Chronic Health Conditions
For individuals with chronic health conditions, the pandemic has intensified suffering, leading to lower psychological well-being and increased levels of anxiety and depression. Longitudinal studies reveal that greater suffering during the pandemic correlates with worse mental health outcomes over time3. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health support for high-risk populations during such crises.
General Psychological Suffering
The pandemic has also brought to light the existence of a general factor for psychological suffering, encompassing depression, anxiety, stress, and non-somatic pain. This "suffering" factor is found to be a common underlying element across various mental health aspects, suggesting a unified approach to addressing psychological distress during such global events4.
Addressing Suffering in Mental Health Care
Beyond the Medical Model
Traditional medical models often fail to capture the full scope of human suffering, which includes existential questions and the search for meaning. Existential positive psychology (EPP) offers an alternative framework that addresses these deeper concerns, emphasizing the importance of meaning, purpose, and transcendence in mental health care7. Integrative meaning therapy, for instance, equips individuals with skills to achieve healing and well-being by exploring and finding meaning in their suffering7.
Role of Mental Health Professionals
Mental health professionals, including nurses, play a crucial role in responding to suffering by helping individuals find meaning in their experiences. This approach involves accompanying patients on their suffering journey, exploring the potential for growth and learning from their distress, rather than merely attempting to eliminate it9. Such interventions can lead to better treatment outcomes and greater patient satisfaction.
Assisted Dying and Refractory Suffering
In cases of severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) where suffering is refractory to treatment, the debate around assisted dying becomes pertinent. In Switzerland, for example, assisted dying is considered for patients with intolerable suffering who maintain decision-making capacity. This approach emphasizes the need for palliative psychiatric care that focuses on enhancing quality of life and relieving suffering, while also considering the ethical implications of assisted dying10.
Conclusion
Mental health suffering is a profound and multifaceted experience that requires a comprehensive and empathetic approach in psychiatric care. By distinguishing suffering from other psychiatric symptoms, addressing the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and exploring existential and ethical dimensions, mental health professionals can better support individuals in their journey towards healing and well-being.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Addressing Suffering in Patients With Psychiatric Disorders
Addressing suffering in patients with psychiatric disorders may improve treatment quality, satisfaction, and outcomes compared to focusing solely on conventional psychiatric symptoms.
Systematic ReviewPsychological effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in health professionals: A systematic review with meta-analysis
Abstract Background Psychological suffering by health professionals may be associated with the uncertainty of a safe workplace. Front-line professionals exposed and involved in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 patients are more susceptible. Method This review was conducted based on papers that were published at MEDLINE, BMJ, PsycINFO, and LILACS, the according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA). Results Health professionals had a higher level of anxiety (13.0 vs. 8.5%, p < 0.01, OR = 1.6152; 95%CI 1.3283 to 1.9641; p < 0.0001) and depression 12.2 vs. 9.5%; p = 0.04; OR = 1.3246; 95%CI 1.0930 to 1.6053; p = 0.0042), besides somatizations and insomnia compared to professionals from other areas. Conclusion Health professionals, regardless of their age, showed significant levels of mental disorders. We observed a prevalence of anxiety and depression. Insomnia was a risk factor for both.
Meta-Analysis
Highly CitedSuffering, Mental Health, and Psychological Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study of U.S. Adults With Chronic Health Conditions
Suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with lower psychological well-being and increased levels of anxiety and depression in U.S. adults with chronic health conditions.
Observational StudyThe psychological suffering factor during the COVID-19 pandemic
A "suffering" factor emerged as the best model to describe psychological suffering experienced by Brazilians during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Psychological Effects of Professional Exposure to Trauma and Human Suffering: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Psychologists' exposure to trauma and suffering may cause some clinically significant symptoms, but overall effects are not significant due to methodological difficulties.
Meta-AnalysisAre depression and suffering distinct? An empirical analysis
Depression and suffering are distinct forms of distress, with concurrent presence being more disruptive to well-being than either condition alone.
Observational StudyVarieties of suffering in the clinical setting: re-envisioning mental health beyond the medical model
Existential positive psychology (EPP) offers a broader approach to mental health, addressing existential concerns and promoting healing, wholeness, and total wellbeing.
Meaning mediates the association between suffering and well-being
Current suffering is associated with lower meaning in life, well-being, and mental health, with meaning acting as a mediator between suffering and well-being.
RCT
Large Human Trial