Abstract

GRACA, João Carlos  and  CORREIA, Rita Gomes. On the multidimensionality of the suffering category. Rev. bras. psicanál [online]. 2018, vol.52, n.3, pp. 109-129. ISSN 0486-641X.

Suffering is a complex reality, which we ought to distinguish from pain. Various dimensions, namely physical, psychological, cultural, political and socioeconomic, being identifiable, an interdisciplinary treatment is thus required. It is fully legitimate to consider it a social fact. Trends towards rendering responses to suffering a merely technical issue, namely psychiatrization, impose themselves a sociologically inclined approach, and in some cases even the consideration of strictly political traits. Both cultural aspects (including those related to religious life) and the economic facets are relevant to the consideration of this problem. Particularly, it is necessary to underline the importance of competitive consumption as a form of status signalization. This importance of consumption may, in some cases, contribute to reinforce social inequalities, which in turn may have negative repercussions in the general social welfare. This recognition, however, does not warrant that egalitarian redistribution measures are perceived as desirable, even from the point of view of its beneficiaries.

Keywords : suffering; pain; multidimensionality; medicalization; culture.

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