Suffering: etiology and treatment

Abstract

Suffering comes in many forms. Certain psychological therapies rooted in the work of Victor Frankl have been shown to alleviate suffering at the end of life. Frankl asserted, with subsequent agreement from secular and religious authors, that it is important to include the transcendent when working with those who suffer. This article explores some of the causes for and treatments of suffering. It briefly argues for the importance of addressing and even embracing the transcendent.