Abstract
In this article the concept «mental suffering» is discussed as a possible anomaly from the point of view of nursing science. Based upon a review of central concepts common to nursing science the concept «suffering» is elucidated with regard to the concept's content, source, character and power. «Mental suffering» has been predominately used as a concept connected to disease. In such a context the concept may be regarded as reductionistic since «suffering» is perceived to be a comprehensive concept having spiritual, cultural, psychological, social and physical dimensions. It may seem unnecessary, and frankly even misleading, to couple the concepts «mental» and «suffering» since suffering, in itself, is predominately mental. The Health Service must surely meet suffering human beings by focusing on the uniqueness of each individual and not just on the diagnosis of the person involved.