What's Your Pain Tolerance Type?

Question 1

You stub your toe hard on a piece of furniture. What is your immediate reaction?

Accepted Answer

I barely react. I register it and move on within seconds, Sharp pain shoots through me and I need a moment to recover, It hurts but I focus on something else and the pain fades quickly, I immediately do something to distract myself, like turning on music or talking to someone, I yelp, curse, and tell everyone nearby exactly how much it hurts

Question 2

You are at the dentist for a filling. How do you handle it?

Accepted Answer

I sit through it calmly, even without extra numbing if needed, I grip the armrest, tense every muscle, and count the seconds until it is over, I close my eyes and mentally transport myself somewhere else entirely, I ask for headphones so I can listen to a podcast and tune out what is happening, I groan, narrate my discomfort to the dentist, and ask repeatedly how much longer

Question 3

You develop a headache during the middle of the workday. What do you do?

Accepted Answer

Ignore it and keep working. It will pass eventually, It completely derails my concentration and I can barely function, I acknowledge it, do some breathing exercises, and push through, I grab coffee, snacks, and put on background noise to take my mind off it, I tell my coworkers about it, complain about how bad it is, and consider going home

Question 4

You are trying a challenging new workout and your muscles are burning. What happens?

Accepted Answer

I embrace the burn and push harder. Pain means progress, I stop immediately. That level of discomfort is not worth it, I focus on my breathing and visualize my muscles getting stronger, I watch the TV mounted on the wall or blast music to get through it, I grunt, groan, and make sure everyone in the gym knows I am working hard

Question 5

You get a paper cut while handling documents. How big of a deal is it?

Accepted Answer

I notice it happened, stick a bandage on it, and immediately forget about it, It stings disproportionately to its size and bothers me for hours, It stings but I tell myself it is minor and consciously let go of focusing on it, I get a bandage and then shift my attention to something engaging, I show it to whoever is nearby and describe the sting in vivid detail

Question 6

How do you feel about getting blood drawn?

Accepted Answer

It does not bother me at all. I watch the needle go in without flinching, I dread it for days beforehand and the needle feels intensely painful, I mentally prepare myself, control my breathing, and get through it calmly, I look away, talk to the nurse about something random, and it is over before I know it, I announce that I hate needles, narrate the entire experience, and need verbal reassurance

Question 7

You wake up with a stiff, sore neck that hurts when you turn your head. How does your day go?

Accepted Answer

I proceed with my normal day and barely think about it, It dominates my entire day and I cannot focus on anything else, I do some gentle stretches, focus on relaxing the area mentally, and carry on, I use a heating pad, take pain relief, and keep myself busy to avoid dwelling on it, I tell everyone I see about my neck, demonstrate how limited my movement is, and seek sympathy

Question 8

Someone accidentally steps on your foot in a crowded place. What happens?

Accepted Answer

I barely feel it and wave off their apology, Pain shoots up my leg and I am limping for the next few minutes, It hurts but I take a breath, acknowledge the pain, and release it, I focus on where I am going and forget about it within seconds, I let out an audible reaction and make sure they know it hurt

Question 9

You are recovering from a minor surgery. How do you handle the post-operative pain?

Accepted Answer

I take minimal pain medication and manage through willpower, I follow the medication schedule religiously and still feel like it is not enough, I combine medication with meditation, visualization, and breathing techniques, I binge-watch shows, read books, and stay so entertained that I barely notice the pain, I keep my loved ones updated on my pain levels hourly and describe every sensation

Question 10

How would your closest friends or family describe your relationship with pain?

Accepted Answer

They think I am weirdly tough and sometimes worry I do not take injuries seriously enough, They know I am sensitive and are careful about activities that might cause me discomfort, They admire my ability to stay calm and rational even when I am clearly in pain, They know I cope by staying busy and distracted, which usually works well, They know exactly when I am in pain because I make absolutely sure of it

What's Your Pain Tolerance Type?

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