| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Shary |
Posted - 04/16/2007 : 11:37:19
As I stated in an earlier post, I've had steady if slow improvement since reading Dr. Sarno's book, "The Mind Body Connection." In an effort to further my recovery, I ordered "The Mindbody Prescription" from Amazon this morning. In doing so, I got sidetracked into reading the customer reviews. Almost all were very favorable, though a few people did debunk the book as being unscientific hogwash. This led me to wonder: Are there people out there who actually LIKE being sick or in pain? Does illness somehow validate their existence or give them the attention they crave? Certainly the debunkers seemed all riled up over the fact that there might actually be a logical explanation for their plight, other than the notion that it somehow appeared out of nowhere. I definitely sensed that they didn't want to give up their fibromyalgia, polymyalgia, CFS, etc., etc., and would fight tooth and nail to hang onto it. Is this need yet another manifestation of TMS?
I'm not saying that ALL diseases are mentally or emotionally induced. Far from it. But maybe a good portion of them are. And maybe there are those of us out there who, for whatever reason, need the security blanket of hurting or being sick. Maybe it offers an excuse for avoiding the fear and potentially greater pain associated with simply living one's life.
Thoughts and comments, anyone?
By the way, I'm new to this site, and these speculations may have already been addressed by others. |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| shawnsmith |
Posted - 04/17/2007 : 09:53:09
Certianly the question of "worthiness" is a crucial issue for many with TMS. Due to certain methods of upbringing used by some well-meaning parents, as well as certain aspects of religious teachings, we can be made to feel that we are not worthy to enjoy our lives and actually feel guilty for doing so. Thoughts like:
Why should I be happy when others are suffering?
I have no right to enjoy myself as God will punish me.
I am being selfish if I enjoy myself, and that is not right.
Happiness is untainable for me and I don't deserve it because I am a bad person.
The list can go on and on.......
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Sarno-ize it!
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| Shary |
Posted - 04/16/2007 : 15:34:47
Additional food for thought: In thinking about this, I am reminded of Dan Millman's words in his excellent book, "No Ordinary Moments." He said, "How good can you stand it?" In other words, can you allow yourself be deserving of a happy, healthy pain-free life? If not, then the door is wide open for TMS to creep in. |
| shawnsmith |
Posted - 04/16/2007 : 15:19:48
It's not that people want to physically suffer, it's just that many people cannot:
1) wrap their minds around the idea that some physical pain does not have a physical origin,
2) that these physical symptoms are put in place by the brain as an avoidance of painful and shameful repressed emotions threatening to surface into consciousness,
3) they have to take an active part in their own healing which involves an inward journey of discovery and not just popping pills from some dude or dudette in a white lab coat.
Honestly, for some the pain is much more preferable than owning up to the above.
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Sarno-ize it!
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| armchairlinguist |
Posted - 04/16/2007 : 12:56:53
Sarno does address the issue of "secondary gain" in MBP, so look out for that when you get it. His belief is that usually that is not the issue, but rather the tenacious nature of the unconscious in "protecting" us.
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Wherever you go, there you are. |
| Penny |
Posted - 04/16/2007 : 11:46:26
quote:
Originally posted by Shary
Are there people out there who actually LIKE being sick or in pain? Does illness somehow validate their existence or give them the attention they crave?
Yes. Welcome to our group, Shary. You are shrewd to pick this up so quickly. Check out this thread, as so many of us have tried to help others, but you can lead a fish to water but you can't make him swim!
http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3312
>|< Penny
Non illigitamus carborundum. |
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