Freeing Yourself From Emotional Pain!

An Electronic Mental Health Newsletter from Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D., P.A. & Associates                              Volume 19, Number 3

Physical pain can be quite debilitating and so can emotional pain. Many of us have experienced major emotional situations that have left us traumatized, anxious, guilty, and depressed.

While physical pain may be eliminated by medications, surgery, or other treatments, emotional pain cannot.

We tend to mask emotional pain with alcohol, drugs, and prescriptions medications, yet the events that have caused our pain get embedded in our minds and effect our daily functioning.

They always seem to be there in our memories and our thoughts.

Hurt often comes from a loss… of loved ones, of a job, of a relationship, of our sense of self protectiveness, or of something significant. In response, we feel grief, anxiety, guilt, depression, and shame.

We may act out in response or withdraw into ourselves. We can try to mask our hurt with eating calorie rich foods or by drinking to get drunk. At times, we develop an attitude of not caring or indifference.

We may also harbor the anger and flare up easily.

Letting go of emotional pain is not easy. It requires understanding and a desire to let go. It also requires acceptance and forgiveness. Holding onto the pain doesn’t accomplish anything and makes us miserable.

All we can do is accept that the event happened and learn from it. We will remember it, but we don’t have to experience the emotion tied to the event.

Even if we think we can’t, we need to let go and accept.

Forgiveness of ourselves and others is the key to letting go.

It takes courage to admit our mistakes and accept that we are fallible. True forgiveness allows us to right a wrong and move on. Holding resentment keeps us tied to those who hurt us.

By letting go of the past, we can embrace the future.

Read Dr. Kimmel’s latest blog, Enjoying Spring, here.

We hope you find the following information helpful and interesting. We also thank you for reading our e-Letters and for the comments and messages of support we’ve received.

KimmelPsychology is available for anyone in need of support, counseling, professional coaching, and psychological assessments. We practice telehealth and safe, in-office visits. For an appointment, call us at 954 755-2885. Se Habla Español.

We offer the following information:

         FREEING YOURSELF FROM EMOTIONAL PAIN!

Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go…Herman Hesse

WHAT TO KNOW!

Letting go of pain doesn’t mean forgetting or ignoring feelings—it means making peace and moving forward in a healthy way

When hurt, we often blame others and ruminate about it; we expect them to apologize or acknowledge that they hurt us and often they don’t

Holding onto painful emotions can cause us to overreact in emotional situations

A major source of emotional pain is trying to control things we simply cannot change—other people’s actions, the past, or unpredictable life events

By blaming others, we are really powerless and get stuck in our hurt

Past hurtful events are really only memories with painful negative emotions attached

Unresolved emotions such as anger, sadness, grief, and anxiety often affect our physical functioning and take a toll on our bodies

One of the best ways to let go is to recognize what we can learn from the experience and incorporate that learning into our lives

WHAT TO DO!

Understand that freeing yourself from emotional pain doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a process that requires patience and self-care

Give yourself permission to accept what has happened and allow yourself to heal

Accept yourself completely, flaws and all

Challenge negative thoughts by questioning your self-defeating beliefs: Are they helping or hurting you?

Practice forgiveness which is not a weakness but a strength as it frees you from anger

Focus on the present: techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and grounding can help shift your focus from the past to the now

Take care of yourself by setting boundaries, saying no to others, etc.

Change what you can and accept the things you can’t

Seek professional help if you are unable to free yourself from emotional pain

 
WE PRACTICE BOTH IN-OFFICE AND TELEHEALTH; WE CAN HELP!
Call us at 954 755-2885 or email us at [email protected]
                               Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D. P.A. and Associates
                                5551 N University Drive, Suite 202
                                Coral Springs FL 33067

As always, we are interested in your thoughts. If you would like to respond to this e-Letter, email your comments to [email protected] and we will publish them next month.

Till April…

The information provided in this electronic newsletter is not a substitute for professional treatment. It is the opinions of the writers and is provided solely for educational purposes. For mental health care, seek a qualified professional.

If you no longer wish to receive future e-Letters, please unsubscribe or send an email to [email protected]. requesting to be removed from this list.
 
If you find this information interesting or helpful, please forward this E-Letter to your contacts and friends.
 
Copyright © 2025 by Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D. P.A. and Associates.