Why do you feel the pain of others?

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Maybe you have felt the pain of watching your loved one or friend go through the pain. So you wonder why you feel other people's pain? Is feeling other people's pain empathy?

Grief is a term that refers to feeling physical or psychological symptoms when witnessing the discomfort or pain of another person. When it comes to such feelings, we often think of husbands having morning sickness on behalf of their wives. The medical term for this phenomenon is couvade syndrome.
Although not an official health condition, in fact, empathic pregnancy syndrome is very common. There have been many studies related to this syndrome. While this perception of pain is not dangerous, the science needs to be looked at to explain and thereby provide the basis for mental health professionals to support and help you overcome these feelings. Feelings can cause you emotional pain.

1. What is the experience of pain like?

Grief is often associated with empathic pregnancy syndrome, which occurs when a person experiences many of the same symptoms as their partner is pregnant. This discomfort usually appears in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy.
However, feeling pain is not only present to those who are pregnant. This phenomenon can also occur in people who have deep relationships with friends and family members, when witnessing friends and relatives going through unpleasant feelings.
But this can also happen between people you don't know. If you see someone in physical or emotional pain, you can empathize and feel the same pain. Or you may feel uncomfortable after seeing pictures or videos of other people in pain.

2. Why do you feel other people's pain?

Although not a recognized health condition, there is a lot of scientific research on the existence of empathic pregnancy syndrome. This is especially the case with people whose partners are pregnant.
The exact cause of why you can feel other people's pain is not known until now. Although not considered a mental health condition, empathic pregnancy syndrome and other types of traumatic grief are thought to be psychologically caused.
Some studies have shown that empathic pregnancy syndrome and other causes of emotional distress may be more frequent and more prominent in people who have experienced psychosis.
2.1 Feeling Pain and Pregnancy For many couples, pregnancy can trigger a variety of emotions, including anxiety, stress or excitement. Some of these emotions may play a role in developing a partner's perception of pain.
In the past, there have been psychology-based theories surrounding empathic pregnancy syndrome. A study based on men being jealous of their pregnant female partners. Another unfounded theory for this pain perception is that one's fear of one's role with a partner may be marginalized by becoming a parent.

Some researchers believe that sociodemographic factors may play a role in the development of empathic pregnancy syndrome. However, more research is needed to determine if these types of risk factors help predict who is likely to experience traumatic episodes during pregnancy.
2.2 Sympathetic Pregnancy Syndrome and False Pregnancy Another hypothesis regarding pain perception of pregnancy in non-pregnant individuals is that empathic pregnancy syndrome may co-occur with pseudopregnancy. The new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has adopted the definition of a false pregnancy as experiencing the symptoms of pregnancy but not actually being pregnant.
The experience of false pregnancy is so strong that others may believe that the person is pregnant and then experience empathic pregnancy syndrome.
2.3 Empathic personality Empathy may play a role in empathic pregnancy syndrome and other cases of emotional pain. A more empathetic person may be more able to empathize in response to another's discomfort.
For example, when you see someone injured, you can feel empathy for the pain they are experiencing. Based on the feelings and pain of others, you may also find that your mood is also changed.
2.4 Pain Resonance Mechanism One study also found that people have a “pain resonance system” that is extracted from the painful aspects of others. So feeling the pain of another is not just an emotional experience, it's an automatic one.
This ability was developed to anticipate and avoid one's own pain. Other people's pain selection can help the spinal cord system execute fight-or-flight responses before actually experiencing painful stimuli that other people are used to.

3. Symptoms of feeling pain your partner may be experiencing

If you are pregnant and you suspect that your partner is experiencing empathy pregnancy, you may find that they have the following symptoms:
Abdominal pain, discomfort Back pain, tooth and leg pain Anxiety, depression, restlessness Appetite, weight gain Flatulence, heartburn, nausea Feeling excited Insomnia Leg cramps Urinary or genitourinary stimulation, changes in libido

The perception of pain by a partner in people with empathic pregnancy syndrome has no cure. Instead, we need to focus on reducing anxiety and stress with relaxation techniques, healthy eating, and regular exercise.
If empathy pregnancy causes anxiety or depression and interferes with daily routine, seek help from a mental health professional. Talking more often can help your partner work through the stresses of pregnancy.
The symptoms of feeling pain in others will disappear after the pain and discomfort of the person you witness will disappear. With the pain stemming from empathy, it is considered a psychological phenomenon. So if empathy lingers and causes you to have mood swings, see your doctor for advice.

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Reference source: webmd.com; healthline.com