Why would someone who is already in pain wish to inflict it upon others?

I suppose that they want others to experience the pain that they are feeling. Sometimes, when people are hurting it hurts even more for them to see those around them doing better than they are. Often times, people want to see you do good, but never better than them. Sometimes these people are not truly aware of what they are doing, or they simply do not care. I think people can get to a point where their actions are unlike who they really are inside and what they would normally do, simply because they're in pain and they're depressed. I feel that it shouldn't be taken personally when people do that, but it can also be toxic and a good idea to distance yourself from the person. It's a realization that they have to make on their own, because if they are already in pain and inflicting it upon others, pointing that out may just upset/anger/hurt them more, causing them to inflict more pain upon you or others that they encounter. However, I'm no professional. :) If this situation is personal to you, I truly hope that things begin to look up for you. xx

Because a person in pain wants nothing more than to soothe their own, and seeing others suffer the same thing helps. Also, a person in pain wants others to understand him.

People who are in pain usually lash out at others because they are miserable and/or angry and people who are miserable and/or angry usually feel a loss of control. Inflicting pain on others does 2 things for them: 1)it allows them to make others feel as they do (yes, misery does love company) and (most importantly) 2)it provides them with some sort of sense of control. If you are on the receiving end of their pain, it usually helps to acknowledge that they are in pain but that you don't appreciate them projecting on you. Stand your ground and let them know that you would be happy to help them any way you can, but not if they continue trying to hurt you mentally, physically, or emotionally.

Because they want others to feel the same way as they are. They want them to know what they are going through.

People often want others to feel the pain that they do. They feel it's unfair that they alone have to suffer when everyone else is smiling and laughing

I would say that people wish to inflict their pain upon others because they feel as if nobody understands them.

Sometimes pain comes from feeling like you're not in control. Hurting others can be a way to think you have control over something. It's also a way to express emotions people don't necessarily know how to handle. Unfortunately, most people don't realize that this only makes their own pain worse.

Probably because that person is feeling bitter or too overwhelmed by the pain that they can't control their actions and thus take it out on others closest to them.

I believe someone who is already in pain may wish to inflict in upon others so that they do not feel so alone in their pain.

Sometimes people feel that the only way they can truly show others that they are in pain is to inflict that same pain to others. Not that they want others to be hurting as well, but just that they want someone to see that THEY are hurting! And sometimes they don't mean to hurt others, that is simply the only way they have figured out to vent or let off a little steam.

psychologically it makes a person feel better about their pain due to not being the only one in pain

People who are in pain often inflict it upon others. Pain takes away a lot of our moral compasses, leaving us with only the primal thoughts of the need to survive and take down others and make them feel our pain. We think that if other people were to suffer too, it would make our suffering lessen.

Because that someone thinks wrongly that transferring the pain will lessen his own pain, but the transaction of pain will only further multiply the pain instead of dividing it, this is the law of nature

As an empathetic person, this is something I have really struggled to understand. I have a good friend who opened up to me recently that she used to bully others when they were feeling vulnerable. My friend told me that when she felt really vulnerable, she wanted to feel like she could have some power-- sometimes power over other people. A lot of people in pain feel as though they have been wronged by other people, and as an attempt to cope feel the need to seek revenge on the people that have hurt them. Because they don't always have access to the same people, it can cause them to turn that frustration onto another target.

Sadly people in pain arent always aware how they may be coming across to other people. This is not an excuse or a reason but may offer some comfort. Would it help them or you to discuss the pain further? Maybe sharing your experience could help you develop / progress further?

There are a lot of reasons someone struggling would want others to struggle to. One could be to achieve a sense of revenge against the world. Another could be that they want to feel in control, like they can dish out what they are served.

Inflicting pain upon others, I think, is a way of trying to forget your own pain. It takes your mind away from what you might be going through, and it also gives you a sense of power over others. It can make you feel stronger, and like you can control something. Most of the time, people inflict pain because of their own insecurities and misery. And as sick as bullying is, and as much I hate it and want it to stop, I don't completely blame them.

Maybe they just want to take it out on others or just try to be cool/popularity or show off to there friends

Because sometimes it's more of a subconscious thing, if I am feeling this, then you deserve it too... And of course that is not correct... And most of the time these people are not horrible... They just don't know any better... Don't know anything else...

Because to them, the others may have it better. and it causes them to desire that life, when they feel like they don't have it. So they wish worse on others to feel a somewhat relief

They might be experiencing so much pain, they don't know anything else. It could control them and make them think hurting others is the answer, when it is not. It could simply just be too much to handle.

For many that have been hurt have also been manipulated. Especially when those inflicting pain are close friends or family and can sometimes be confused with love or appropriate treatment given the circumstances. For these people who have been hurt and manipulated in this way, it is less of questioning why they wish to inflict harm upon others and more what makes them inflict pain upon others. The answer could be as simple as missing out of some key relationship factors to have been taught that is how to treat other people. #monkeyseemonkeydo

Some instances, inflicting pain onto other makes people feel as they do. This allows them to feel that someone can connect to the pain they felt as well.

People have different ways of coping with pain, and some people who experience pain don't know how to cope effectively, which often means they will lash out as a result. I generally believe that most do not intend for others to feel the pain that they do, again because lashing out is their coping strategy. However there are no doubt some individuals who feel 'well I'm suffering, so why shouldn't they?', almost in the same way that bullies are often victims of bullying themselves.

they probably don’t know how to cope with the pain that they are in. It’s never okay to hurt others because you are, but a lot of people cope by taking their pain out onto someone else

They want others to know the pain that they are feeling . These people do this because they feel the world is inbalance and they would believe that its unfair that they are the only one suffering. Rather then seek help they simply just choose to harm the people around them

Some people may find it as a way of ignoring their own pain, to cope. However, it's not helpful. Because then people will make others feel the same thing they've been through. Some may be even jealous of others' happiness which is not very acceptable. If someone you know tries to inflict their pain on someone else, talk to them to sort out the issue or at least inform them of their mistake.

Well, I think that the person wants to be fully understood. He/she wishes to inflict pain upon others so they would fully understand him/her , how they feel, how much it really hurts them and what it's like to be them. Personally, I think a person wouldn't fully understand what someone is actually going through if they have never felt it. Maybe they will understand some parts of it but they won't fully understand the situation. But when someone has already been through that experience, then they are likely to understand the situation better. These are just my thoughts, I'm not a professional or anything.

This may happen because the person hopes to get rid of their pain by inflciting it on others. Though this is not right, in the moment they are doing what they feel is the only way to get a release from the pain they are feeling on the inside. Sometimes people don't know healthy ways to cope with how they are feeling. This may be due to lack of education on coping or they may have been in situations that taught them bad coping skills. This is not an excuse for their behavior though and they should be held accountable for their actions.

We can't predict the intentions of others. Sometimes, we do things we can't account for. We're swept up in the pain and the easiest form of relief is when others experience it, too. No one's perfect. Remember, be kind. Be understanding in that this person may be experiencing some issues that have caused them to project this hurt onto others. At this state, the best rule of thumb is to give them space. Remind them you're here and when they're ready, you could talk about these issues together. I find distance can be a good thing when you're in a situation such a this, and the best initiative is to be supportive, but not engage until they're ready to discuss it without the intention of hurting.