Does working on the emotional side of pain mean it isn't real? My reflections on episode 5 | Dr Sula

There are two images from my conversation with Carla Cressy OBE and Sheren Gaulbert that have stayed with me. Carla, 21 years old, crawling across the floor to the bathroom, still being told she would grow out of it. And Sheren's black diary, found years later, full of red scrawl, pain rated nine and ten, page after page. “I can't go on like this”. Sentiments Sheren had blocked out in recovery without realising. In this short solo reflection I sit with what that conversation stirred up. Not a recap, but an attempt to make the science concrete and personal. Because one of the things I hear most often from people living with pelvic pain, endometriosis, or vulvodynia is this: if someone suggests that working with the emotional or psychological dimension of their pain might help, it can feel like being told the pain isn't real. Like being dismissed all over again. I want to address that directly. Because the neurobiology says something very different and understanding it may be one of the most useful things you can do for yourself. In this reflection I cover: ✅ What it actually does to your physiology when your pain is dismissed. Why that invalidation can make symptoms measurably worse ✅ Why your world shrinking around your symptoms is a nervous system response, not a personal failing ✅ What predictive processing has to do with pelvic pain ✅ The difference between proactive and reactive strategies for working with persisting pain, and why safety has to come first ✅ Why exploring the psychological and emotional side of pain doesn't mean it isn't real and why it might be one of your most powerful tools for advocating for better care This reflection follows episode 5 of How We Really Feel. If you haven't listened to the full conversation with Carla and Sheren yet, I'd start there - it goes much deeper and I think it will stay with you. 🎧 Full episode 5 — with Carla Cressy OBE and Sheren Gaulbert: 👉 https://pod.link/1895564493/episode/N... 📚 Show notes, references and resources: 👉 www.howwereallyfeel.com/episode-five 🔗 Find the guests from the full episode: Carla Cressy OBE — theendometriosisfoundation.org Sheren Gaulbert — the-ultimate-you.com 📩 Newsletter: www.healthpsychologist.co.uk/subscribe 📱 Instagram: @the_health_psychologist_ 🎧 Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | This episode is supported by Convatec and the me+ Emotional Wellbeing Programme - a free holistic support programme for intermittent catheter users. Visit www.howwereallyfeel.com/in-partnership-with-convatec ⬇️ If this landed for you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a comment below. What stayed with you?