| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Shary |
Posted - 05/22/2007 : 10:06:41
In browsing several threads, a common theme is that symptoms are SLOWLY going away. The key word here is slowly. I think it's worth mentioning that not all of us are going to be rid of our pain in two or three weeks, or even two or three months. Pinning hopes on a few cases (cited by Sarno) that cleared up almost immediately is detrimental, because if our own symptoms don't clear up just as quickly, then we start to wonder if something else is wrong with us.
For those who come to this board for help, I would like to suggest that you dispense with any time frame expectations. Instead of comparing your own recovery with that of someone else, you should look for overall improvement by comparing your progress with where you were a month ago, or six months ago. Meanwhile, think psychological. Concentrate on doing the TMS work of reading, journaling, and proceeding with your normal activities as you are increasingly able to. Your mind/body will correct itself at its OWN speed, not that of someone else.
On another subject, does anyone else have lipomas? These are harmless little fatty cysts under the skin that are mostly unnoticeable. I know they tend to be hereditary, but the tendency to develop TMS is too. I used to joke about these lipomas (of which I have several) as being knots of stored stress. Maybe I was right.
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| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| tennis tom |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 08:43:54
Regarding the "CALENDAR EFFECT" from Dr. Sopher's book:
"For reasons that are not entirely clear to both Dr. Sarno and
myself, there is great variability in the time required for symptom
resolution. This gets back to the notion of doubt. If someone states
they truly believe that TMS is the problem, that they have been doing
the mental homework and yet are distressed that their symptoms
persist, they may question whether they have TMS. This has the
elements of a catch-22. If you begin to doubt there is a psychological
cause, that there could be a physical cause, then the work is undone
and the brain’s strategy of creating a physical distraction will triumph. This is part of what I refer to as The Calendar Phenomenon. By this
time, everyone may know of someone whose symptoms vanished
immediately after reading the book or shortly after seeing a physician
trained in TMS treatment. So, an expectation is created in their mind
that their symptoms should recede soon after incorporating this
philosophy. They look at the calendar and become upset as days and
weeks go by. This is where I tell people to look back at their
personalities. The calendar phenomenon is another manifestation of
perfectionist tendencies – it is self-imposed pressure to succeed and
succeed quickly. If they can recognize this aspect of their personality
and add it to their “list” of sources of stress, relief will be on the way."
Some of my favorite excerpts from " THE DIVIDED MIND " :
http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2605
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| shawnsmith |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 07:32:46
"Ultimalely, it isn't important how fast or how slow your progress. Go at your own pace, and don't feel guilty. Most of us make so many adjustments to accommodate our symptoms, we may even overlook the moment we start to feel better." - Nancy Selfridge "Freedom From Fibromyalgia" page 226-227
*******
Sarno-ize it!
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| Shary |
Posted - 05/22/2007 : 15:34:13
Hi Adam,
Thanks for your comments. It made me realize that I've stopped moving on. I'm spending way too much time on this board, possibly to the detriment of my own full recovery (which has begun to bog down over the past week). Trying to help others here is fair turnabout since so many of the members have helped me--and for that I'm very grateful. But as TMS is only one aspect of my life (I won't let it be more than that), it's probably time for me to take a break and concentrate on other things for a while. |
| sensei adam rostocki |
Posted - 05/22/2007 : 10:48:35
I think this is a great post. Too many patients feel they have a timetable to meet in curing their TMS. I managed to alleviate most of my pain in a few weeks, but it took a couple of months to get rid of all of it and an additional few months to have the confidence that it was gone for good.
I also think that TMS patients have a tendency to languish in their pain. They think TOO MUCH in general, which is the same reason why they can not get past their emotional causes as well as their physical symptoms. Moving on means just that...It is super simple. You have to MOVE ON. I can tell a lot of people on the board seem to be perpetuating their own misery by living in this "TMS world" where even though the tone is positive and supportive, the overall environment is mired down in pain and the continual questioning of whether you have TMS or a real anatomical condition. This is not constructive...The few who have taken a break from “TMS central” are probably best off for their choice. This is a great place to linger in order to help others once you are cured, but while working towards a cure, I feel it can do as much harm as good once your original questions and needs for support have been answered. Just my 2 cents...
Oh, and Shary, I have a few of those little lipomas as well. I had them since childhood and always wondered what they were and where they came from. Several doctors said nothing to worry about and simply dismissed them. Take care –Sensei
CURE-BACK-PAIN(dot)ORG |
| miehnesor |
Posted - 05/22/2007 : 10:48:21
I completely agree with the subject of your post. The only relevent thing is comparing your own symptoms over different time frames.
Regarding lipomas I think there is an hereditary component to this one. My brother has one for years that slowly got bigger and bigger till it was a couple inches across. He finally got it surgically removed and has not had a recurrance since. What is even more interesting is that I think I have a small one growing as well. Was is really shocking is that it is growing in exactly the same place as his on the lower left side of the abdoman! |
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