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Different theories of psychology view suffering differently. Freud viewed suffering as something humans are hardwired to avoid, while they are always in the pursuit of pleasure, also known as the hedonic theory of motivation or the pleasure principle. This dogma also ties in with certain concepts of Behaviorism, most notably Operant Conditioning theory. In operant conditioning, a negative stimulus is removed thereby increasing a desired behavior, alternatively an aversive stimulus can be introduced as a punishing factor. In both methods, unfavorable circumstances are used in order to motivate an individual or an animal towards a certain goal. However other theories of psychology present contradicting ideas such as the idea that humans sometimes seek out suffering. Many existentialists believe suffering is necessary in order to find meaning in our lives. Existential Positive Psychology is a theory dedicated to exploring the relationship between suffering and happiness and the belief that true authentic happiness can only come from experiencing pain and hardships.

In order to overcome depressed feelings and thoughts, Frankl challenges individuals suffering from depression to find meaning in their suffering. Frankl frequently cites Nietzsche's words, "He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how". Suffering and all the negative emotions that come with it are a normal part of the human experience and should even be expected. Edith Weisskopf-Joelson, a psychologist and follower of logotherapy, argues that "our current mental-hygiene philosophy stresses the idea that people ought to be happy, that unhappiness is a symptom of maladjustment. Such a value system might be responsible for the fact that the burden of unavoidable unhappiness is increased by unhappiness about being unhappy".

In the novel, "Red Dragon" by author Thomas Harris, there is a scene where Hannibal Lector reports Dr. Chilton, chief of staff at the mental hospital where he resides, to have attributed Lector having Ganser syndrome as a reason to why he avoided prison. Chilton claims so in order to avoid embarrassment at Lector easily outsmarting him at the various tests Chilton tried to give him in order to better understand Lector.