| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| yogurtbacteria |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 17:12:36
So life is stressful right now, and I want to try not to get too stressed about it, but I also don't want to repress it. Where do you draw the line? How do you tell the difference between trying to think positive and repressing your negative emotions? |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Shary |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 12:14:35
Y-b,
Consider this for a moment: Suppose repression is NOT carved in granite. Suppose it's an acquired habit, like swearing or biting your fingernails. Assume, for the moment, that you can control your subconscious and make it work for YOU, rather than vice-versa. Assume that the whole positive/negative scenario is nothing more than a matter of opinion--which can be changed at will because YOU aren't carved in granite either. The trick is to get in touch with your subconscious mind and make it become accountable, particularly if it's causing you pain. This takes a little effort but it can definitely be done.
Incidentally, not to belittle your situation, but I can see a number of flaws in your line of reasoning regarding the science grade thing without even knowing half the story. But that's mostly because it isn't MY problem. And this brings another level of insight. Try looking at it as if it were someone else's problem. Ask yourself what advice you would give that person. Another reality check idea: make a list of what's really important in this issue, and why, and what isn't. |
| tennis tom |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 10:28:51
When you are repressing, you don't know you are doing it, it is happening unconsciously and involuntarily. If you are thinking positively your TMS symptoms will diminish.
some of my favorite excerpts from 'TDM' : http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2605
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| yogurtbacteria |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 10:25:10
quote:
Originally posted by Shary
y-b,
Try a reality check. Trot out those negative emotions and take a close look at them. This is hard and sometimes it hurts. After all, they aren't repressed for nothing. Try to remain impartial and neutral as you examine every aspect of an issue. See if there is anything about it that you can poke holes in. I usually find that my subconscious has distorted reality. I can't always make the issue disappear, but I can often defuse it enough to diminish its power over me. At the very least, the issue has been "outed" instead of being repressed. Lastly, place the offending issue in the palm of your hand and blow it away. Yeah, it might make you feel silly, but visualization can be a great tool. (I really don't invent these things, guys. I just do a lot of reading.)
The issue is pretty straightforward at the moment. I'm working toward a high-requirement science major that I got a late start on, so I have massive loads of work and, the subject being science, my grade doesn't always correspond with the amount of work I've been doing. It's a really, really frustrating situation. I love science, so I'm going through with it anyway, but it's overwhelming.
I will try this, but I think to some extent the ptroblem is that it will remain a situation that will inevitably cause stress :/ |
| Shary |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 09:44:43
y-b,
Try a reality check. Trot out those negative emotions and take a close look at them. This is hard and sometimes it hurts. After all, they aren't repressed for nothing. Try to remain impartial and neutral as you examine every aspect of an issue. See if there is anything about it that you can poke holes in. I usually find that my subconscious has distorted reality. I can't always make the issue disappear, but I can often defuse it enough to diminish its power over me. At the very least, the issue has been "outed" instead of being repressed. Lastly, place the offending issue in the palm of your hand and blow it away. Yeah, it might make you feel silly, but visualization can be a great tool. (I really don't invent these things, guys. I just do a lot of reading.) |
| shawnsmith |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 08:16:33
quote:
Originally posted by Penny
YB,
GREAT question! I asked my psychoT the other day, how do you tell the difference b/t coping and repressing? He didn't answer me. I don't have an answer for you either,
The question is eqivalent to asking how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. It is useless conjecture of an unswerable question, so why bother with such metaphysical speculations?
*************
Sarno-ize it!
************* |
| Penny |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 20:15:09
YB,
GREAT question! I asked my psychoT the other day, how do you tell the difference b/t coping and repressing? He didn't answer me. I don't have an answer for you either, but some wonderful person the other day posted a definition for depression: I'm paraphrasing, but she said depression is denying yourself feeling your actual emotions. Although my TMS-gremlin has been back with vengeance this past week, I've not really felt depressed (although I'm sobbing a lot most days) b/c I am actually feeling my emotions (at least some of them). As long as we allow ourself to feel our emotional truth, perhaps that is a good strategy for avoiding TMS revisitation?!
Perhaps ask yourself if you are "acting" positive, or "feeling" positive. If you are acting, you could be repressing.
>|< Penny
Non illigitamus carborundum. |
| shawnsmith |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 19:17:43
Hi yogurtbacteria
Have you read any of Sarno's books? It is important to read on a regular basis in order to keep his ideas fresh in your mind. Nowhere is positive thinking mentioned as a form of treatment, although there is nothing wrong with being Mr. or Mrs. smiley if you can sustain it. I personally cannot. You cannot stop something, in this case repressing, if you are not even aware it is taking place. You will continue to repress until the day you die. It is a form of protection for you as your emotions may overtake you otherwise and you would torn into a nut-case eating styrfoam cups and wearing your short on the outside of your pants. But your thoughts about the true source of your physical symptoms are very important and it is crucial you establish the link in your mind between your symptoms and your hidden emotions. This is done by the methods mentioned in Sarno's books- psychology and treatment sections. It takes time and a whole lot of patience.
*************
Sarno-ize it!
************* |
| skizzik |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 18:52:45
ugh! darn good question....I get confused too sometimes. Think positive..don't let it get to ya...etc... but oh...it will get to you someway somehow us tms'rs know. |
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