Why does my brain seem to deal with large problems and traumas, but struggle to cope with seemingly smaller ones?

Question

For instance: lack of sleep, constant pain and suffering vs. texting someone where the spelling errors keep popping up over and over and having to rewrite it.
Or, dealing with a relationship issues vs. an alarm going off.

These are just examples, but I really don't understand it sometimes.

Thoughts and opinions on why people might be able to handle major things, over smaller "every day" things and why or brains might not be able to handle them... 🥰

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

It’s ironic but I usually perform best against great adversary and extremely difficult situations better than most people. However when I’m bored or just dealing with menials day to day issues I do worse than other people. I space out and look for unhealthy escapes

Anyway I know in trying times there is a part of brain (and soul) that kicks into overdrive. It gives me adrenaline and grit. My IQ goes up. My mental focus goes up. My physical toughness goes up. My self discipline becomes second nature. I turn fear into adrenaline and effective anger. I probably would of made a good spec ops soldier if I ever made the decision to commit to that years ago

However to get that stage it always require chaos, fear, dread, extreme stress, etc. I can only take so much of that and the truth is I love peace and stability. But I always end of up underperforming in slow times. I look for trouble out of boredom.

I decide earlier today I am going to compete for the first time in 8 years in a martial arts competition in May. I need the challenge.

OfMiceandMen · Accepted Answer

They've probably established coping mechanisms for the big stuff and are able to somewhat deal with those right away and they may reoccur less than the smaller stuff which goes-off on a daily basis like the alarm and having to edit texts.

I also gather the smaller one's are similar to the the last straw or the one that broke the camels back scenarios. Kind of a cumulative thing where it pushes someone over the edge.

Bethany22 · Accepted Answer

Some people's brains prefer to focus on larger issues, and other people's brains prefer to focus on smaller details.

NostalgiaSenpi · Answer

Different kinds of stress affect the brain in different ways. You've probably dealt with the constant pain over a period of time that you're more used to it. Spelling errors are rather easy, texts are quick and since the brain can often interpret words despite being jumbles, also called typoglycemia.

Still-alive · Answer

The smaller issues can add up to where it overwhelms us and if you’re already depressed or angry can just exacerbate those things even more. at least it did for me. Maybe its we underestimate the smaller stuff more and this aren't as prepared for how to handle them when they aggregate into something that requires our attention.

Welp thats my best shot anyways. Hope I made sense lol

BoopBoopBeep · Answer

Which ones of those are supposed to be traumas and which are supposed to be small things? Other than "suffering" which is completely relative and unquantifiable by nature. I'd say they're all pretty small so I'm not sure I understand what you're asking. Everything there is small. They're all irritating, sure, but "not be able to handle them" sounds rather hyperbolic. Like you shake and fall over when someone spells soemthing wrongly?

SnowedIn · Answer

Different parts of your brain dealing with it.

MrNameless · Answer

It's possible your brain is just focusing on the larger ones, and doesn't have much energy left for the smaller ones?

Alex8736 · Answer

if you only knew what how the last 5 years have been for me. anything moderate or semi severe I look at it as normal and show no reaction and people think I'm neurotic lol

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

Sometimes that's the way our brains tend to work.

SawerBrown · Answer

Sometimes the smaller everyday things happen so often that they drive you bonkers.

exitseven · Answer

We can process something small that you have control over. Something really big that may not have a solution makes the brain avoid the problem.

Guardian45 · Answer

You sound like you struggle with not losing control. I try to control everything in order to maintain my calm.

Charliefretz329 · Answer

The large problems wear you and your body out and leave little energy for the rest of life

Jennz6 · Answer

I’m not sure because you’re pretty smart

coachTanthony · Answer

Cuz you’re a goof ball 🤪

Jamie05rhs · Answer

I'm the opposite, sadly.

Softlife808 · Answer

You need therapy you have issues

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