4 Ways to Cope With Pain Using Stoicism

When people think of pain, they often think of (lower-case) stoicism, or having a stiff upper-lip.  However, ancient Stoic philosophy had a much more sophisticated approach to pain management than just “grin and bear it.”  In fact, it was the original inspiration for modern cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), which first appeared in the 1950s. CBT is currently the dominant evidence-based form of psychotherapy, and provides some surprisingly robust techniques for coping psychologically with chronic pain and illness.  

However, one of my favourite anecdotes about Stoicism and pain actually comes from an early 20th century psychotherapist called Paul Dubois.  Dubois used to assign his patients homework that involved reading the letters of the Stoic philosopher Seneca. Once Dubois was explaining to a young patient how Stoic philosophy could help him cope better with illness.  The man interrupted saying: “I understand, doctor; let me show you.”

And taking a pencil he drew a large black spot on a piece of paper. “This,” said he, “is the disease, in its most general sense, the physical trouble—rheumatism, toothache, what you will—moral trouble, sadness, discouragement, melancholy. If I acknowledge it by fixing my attention upon it, I already trace a circle to the periphery of the black spot, and it has become larger. If I affirm it with acerbity the spot is increased by a new circle. There I am, busied with my pain, hunting for means to get rid of it, and the spot only becomes larger. If I preoccupy myself with it, if I fear the consequences, if I see the future gloomily, I have doubled or trebled the original spot.” And, showing me the central point of the circle, the trouble reduced to its simplest expression, he said with a smile, “Should I not have done better to leave it as it was?”

The burden of physical pain is lightened when we are able to look at it objectively, without adding layers of fear.

Dubois adds:

“One exaggerates, imagines, anticipates affliction,” wrote Seneca. For a long time, I have told my discouraged patients and have repeated to myself, “Do not let us build a second...

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