| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| lobstershack |
Posted - 07/15/2005 : 23:33:59
Hi Ho!
Has anyone found it difficult to strike a balance in their TMS work? That is, not obsessing over what to do when, and, on the flip side of the coin, not doing enough work.
I have found that as soon as I realize--through reading postings, books, and channeling my own introspection--that a less is more policy is appropriate when dealing with TMS, the obsessive side of me takes over and begins to dictate that I am not doing enough, or the correct kind of work.
This is frustrating indead.
And I was curious as to whether or not anyone else experienced a similar course in their own personal TMS.
Thanks!
Seth |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ssjs |
Posted - 07/24/2005 : 20:04:29
you do not always have to find the exact reason.
Just know that there is no physical cause, and believe it! That's the key!
Stop knocking yourself out!
Sandy |
| lobstershack |
Posted - 07/23/2005 : 10:28:26
I have issues:
I think that that burning chest pain was caused by me ingesting to crushed cloves of garlic every evening. It would burn on the way down and I read online that pain around the heart/ribcage area can very well become irritated by eating too much garlic, much less when you're just swallowing it whole without any base.
So I started getting really excited that I found the cause of this annoying pain; and guess what, although it has yet to go away, it did improve over the next few days. It's not totally gone yet.
But do you see the pattern? Regardless of what exactly is causing that particular pain, the mere fact that I could get overjoyed about finding a "physical" cause for it, rather than accepting TMS (by the way this started the week before starting my new job [first one out of college]) is testament to my still having to work on accepting TMS theory.
My whole life I always take things to the extreme, especially health related issues. I could very well have added a small clove of garlic to whatever I was eating for dinner that evening, but no, I had to go ahead and guzzle it. Extremes.
And I'm upset at myself for still having a less difficult time accepting the emotional over the physical. Oiy.
Also, I'd like to know if anyone can relate to this: if I am noticing a particular pain and then begin searching for emotional clues as to its origin, no matter what I come up with a little voice inside says, "that can't be it, it's too inconsequential." It mutters this for anything and everything I can think of, like I'm searching for this golden goose of a thought or incident that doesn't exist. Classic TMS?
You're help is invaluable. Thanks!
Seth |
| lobstershack |
Posted - 07/18/2005 : 19:53:23
Feeling overwhelmed folks. So today was the first day of my new (and first) full-time job. As you can imagine, it's overwhelming to say the least and is probably candy to the gremlin.
I still have that nagging tightness/pain in my chest (although it's not really my chest per se, rather the area around my left ribs [it feels like it's coming from underneath]). Yes, this symptom has shifted in its location a bit--at least I think it has. And I KNOW I shouldn't let it worry me, I shouldn't fear it, that's what it wants (assuming it's TMS). But for some reason, I'm spending way too much time thinking about it.
I start to think, oh dear, what if I need an ultrasound because an organ is not working properly, or what if I have some type of cancer. This is so typical of me. Oiy.
Anyway. Just wanted to share. I'll let you know how the job goes this week.
Happy thoughts and feelings to all.
Seth |
| lobstershack |
Posted - 07/16/2005 : 15:56:15
Many thanks friends!
I think in order for me to take my healing to the next level I really need to take your advice and stop obsessing and worrying over the work.
I've realized I spend way too much time mulling over the concepts in my head, not to mention worrying about when exactly I'm going to actual stop what I'm doing and do the work.
What happens though, is that when I notice the pain, instead of just simply ignoring it, I often launch into going over the concepts over and over in my head. I suppose I should just shift my focus to something in the present.
I still have that annoying, albeit mild, chest pain (it feels like a stingy tightness). Funny thing about this, it started at the beginning of my run on Monday, and the other day I had the same pain on the opposite side while I was running. It also comes and goes, sometimes I don't notice at all, other times it's quite distracting.
If it doesn't abate in another week or so, I'll have it checked out just to make sure nothing is seriously wrong--which I doubt it is. I guess I should really be celebrating that things are moving around.
Thanks again.
Seth |
| ssjs |
Posted - 07/16/2005 : 12:26:27
I have gone to a therapist for years on and off, but I never journaled, and really tried not to think about it all unless I actually felt a twinge or was in the therapists office.
The more I focused on it, the more twinges I got!
As a matter of fact, I think the goal shoud be to know you are ok, and not think about it! If you think about it too much...then you do NOT know you are ok...and that is what we are trying to change.
When I saw Dr. Sarno, he made it clear that we did not have to know what actually stressed us, we just had to know we had nothing structually wrong...then we would be ok. To think about it for hours a day just shows that one isn't quite sure what the deal is yet!
Stop journaling for hours (unless it actually helps) And go out and have FUN! Or don't have fun but truely Live a little!
Too much journaling and thinking distracts you from real life! Stop the distractions!
Sandy |
| n/a |
Posted - 07/16/2005 : 10:08:59
I obsessed over my TMS work, reading everything I could and journaling all the time (50-60 pages a day). I spoke with both a TMS doctor and a physcotherapist who advised me not to spend too much time on it but to get on with my life as much as possible. I think that no more 2 than hours maximum a day is enough, and no less than 1/2 hour a day. As long as we think about TMS all day long I think the longer it will linger. It seems counter intuitive but I cannot see any other explanation. |
| n/a |
Posted - 07/16/2005 : 01:03:25
I certainly obsessed over the psychological work, Seth. For a time it seemed that every thought I had tied in with my de-programming work - Looking back, I view it as a positive and necessary step to recovery.
As time went on though, everything fell into place. I think all that obsessing allowed the psychological changes in how I think about things to get a hold.
Now I still, almost automatically, do some psychological work - reading and posting here for example - I usually have a look at what people ae saying in the morning. If I have time I reply to anything that I think might be helpful to the person concerned. if I don't have time, I make a mental note to look in again later. I don't think about it for the rest of the day, usually.
I still have the type of personality that would make me vulnerable to TMS - so it's important to me that I keep on track. You'll likely find that as time goes on things will settle down for you.
Best wishes
Anne |
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