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Rage: Repressed versus Suppressed:

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[quote][i]Originally posted by eliuri[/i]
[br]Hi again:

I�ve been reading much on this forum regarding the role of repressed rage in TMS-type disorders. As I understand it, there are conflicts going on beneath the radar of the conscious mind, which the conscious mind suppresses so that it not be overwhelmed by painful thoughts, memories or impulses. But when that repressed unconscious rage reaches a critical level and  insists on being heard, it�ll often take the form of physical symptoms, which here is called: TMS. In other words, the rage spoken of here is largely unconscious. It is given expression in the crude from of physical symptoms.

My question is with regard to a different sort of rage or set of emotions. I haven�t seen it addressed here, but I�m still relatively new to the board and to the writings of Dr Sarno.

I�m speaking of rage which has already made itself apparent in the conscious mind and in a state of all too-painful clarity. Conscious anger accompanied by a conscious sense of helplessness..

I�m quite keenly aware of what I�m upset about emotionally. I�m sure there are many memories which mercifully continue to remain unconscious. But my point is, the major conflicts in my life are ones which I cannot give expression to by  making the changes necessary to  do the right thing. In other   words, in my own situation, I believe I�m dealing with [b]suppressed[/b] conflicts than [b]repressed[/b] conflicts. I fear the consequences of giving voice to what I know had happened, to what I know is happening,   and to what I know should be done to make matters better. I fear that I don�t have the wherewithal to make the necessary changes in my life. And  speaking about this to some  people who could conceivably help me might well backfire and make matters worse. In other words, it�s not only in action that I feel suppressed, but in verbal expression to those close to me as well.

The irony of developing these TMS-type symptoms is that it simply makes the logistics of solving some of this all the more beyond reach. In other words, the TMS makes more difficult for me to take action   so that my inner rage, which I now believe is conscious rather than unconscious, can find some practical resolution.

I should add that many of the TMS-type symptoms I had developed in the past, did in fact emerge prior to the insights I now have.. But the most recent one, the one I wrote about when I first joined this forum oddly enough did rear its ugly head, [b]after[/b] rather than [b]before[/b], I had gained the necessary conscious insight. Just prior to my beginning to write about it and at about the time I was planning  a way to deal with it pragmatically.

Here�s my question:

[i][b]Does the view here regarding TMS and repressed emotion apply as well to emotions which one suppresses simply on account of a sense of helplessness, hopelessness, or conscious fears? Or is this theory limited to conflicts which are repressed on account of them being held safely ensconced in the vault of the unconscious? [/b][/i]

I�m sorry for the abstract nature of this question, but it would   be too lengthy a post if I went into the particulars of   what�s bothering me emotionally. I�m also not sure I can adequately explain the specifics  here just now.

Thanks again:

-Eliuri

[b][/b][b][/b][i][/i]
[/quote]

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eliuri	Posted - 05/29/2007 : 15:04:48 Hi again: I�ve been reading much on this forum regarding the role of repressed rage in TMS-type disorders. As I understand it, there are conflicts going on beneath the radar of the conscious mind, which the conscious mind suppresses so that it not be overwhelmed by painful thoughts, memories or impulses. But when that repressed unconscious rage reaches a critical level and insists on being heard, it�ll often take the form of physical symptoms, which here is called: TMS. In other words, the rage spoken of here is largely unconscious. It is given expression in the crude from of physical symptoms. My question is with regard to a different sort of rage or set of emotions. I haven�t seen it addressed here, but I�m still relatively new to the board and to the writings of Dr Sarno. I�m speaking of rage which has already made itself apparent in the conscious mind and in a state of all too-painful clarity. Conscious anger accompanied by a conscious sense of helplessness.. I�m quite keenly aware of what I�m upset about emotionally. I�m sure there are many memories which mercifully continue to remain unconscious. But my point is, the major conflicts in my life are ones which I cannot give expression to by making the changes necessary to do the right thing. In other words, in my own situation, I believe I�m dealing with suppressed conflicts than repressed conflicts. I fear the consequences of giving voice to what I know had happened, to what I know is happening, and to what I know should be done to make matters better. I fear that I don�t have the wherewithal to make the necessary changes in my life. And speaking about this to some people who could conceivably help me might well backfire and make matters worse. In other words, it�s not only in action that I feel suppressed, but in verbal expression to those close to me as well. The irony of developing these TMS-type symptoms is that it simply makes the logistics of solving some of this all the more beyond reach. In other words, the TMS makes more difficult for me to take action so that my inner rage, which I now believe is conscious rather than unconscious, can find some practical resolution. I should add that many of the TMS-type symptoms I had developed in the past, did in fact emerge prior to the insights I now have.. But the most recent one, the one I wrote about when I first joined this forum oddly enough did rear its ugly head, after rather than before, I had gained the necessary conscious insight. Just prior to my beginning to write about it and at about the time I was planning a way to deal with it pragmatically. Here�s my question: Does the view here regarding TMS and repressed emotion apply as well to emotions which one suppresses simply on account of a sense of helplessness, hopelessness, or conscious fears? Or is this theory limited to conflicts which are repressed on account of them being held safely ensconced in the vault of the unconscious? I�m sorry for the abstract nature of this question, but it would be too lengthy a post if I went into the particulars of what�s bothering me emotionally. I�m also not sure I can adequately explain the specifics here just now. Thanks again: -Eliuri
11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
natureboys	Posted - 06/04/2007 : 23:33:45 I wasn't suggesting that she talk to someone about her mental/physical TMS symptoms, or the underlying unconscious cause of them. It seems like she knows what's causing her conscious rage but won't tell anybody. Telling someone anonymously could be a great rehearsal for finally telling the people that matter. I wonder if her story is about abuse from a family member, and the conflict is whether or not to bring it up? -- Joe Joe Garrett
Penny	Posted - 06/03/2007 : 21:56:31 quote: Originally posted by LadyBug How does one go about e mailing someone on the board? Hi LB, Click on the person's name in the left column, and you can view their profile. If that person accepts personal e-mail, you will see a link beneath their name in the profile that says e-mail the person. On topic with this thread, this link is really interesting http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2592 >\|< Penny
LadyBug	Posted - 06/03/2007 : 16:02:35 Doesn't Sarno say you needn't deal with the cause.....you just need to be aware. How does one go about e mailing someone on the board? No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
HilaryN	Posted - 06/03/2007 : 11:32:49 Eliuri, I agree with Joe - do try and talk about it with someone neutral. Irrespective of whether it's the cause of your pain, I think you need to talk about it for your wellbeing. Hilary N
shawnsmith	Posted - 06/01/2007 : 12:15:51 The rage which has already made itself apparent in the conscious mind is not the source of your pain or symptoms. Dr. Sarno makes that very plain, especially in his video lecture. The purpose of the pain or other symptoms is to draw your attention away from unconscious rage or other painful emotions which are threatening to surface into consciousness. This is one reason I keep harping on the point of avoiding talking or writing about your physical symptoms as it draws attention to our bodies and thus serves the role of perpetuating TMS symptoms. ******* Sarno-ize it! Do you have a pain-prone personality? http://www.bradyinstitute.com/aboutBook/painProne.asp
natureboys	Posted - 06/01/2007 : 11:44:52 Whatever stressful, TMS-inducing situation you are in right now, tell it ALL to a neutral party. A counselor of some sort, or anonymously with someone on this forum. You can e-mail members directly without posting the message on the board, so it will just be between you and the other memeber. Overcome that fear of telling somebody about it and I think you may experience some relief. Remember, fear is the mostly limiting factor in the whole TMS syndrome. Also, I would guess that your conscious rage sort of TAPS the nerve of your unconscious rage, thus resulting in a lot of 'TMSing.' -- Joe Joe Garrett
electraglideman	Posted - 05/30/2007 : 10:50:37 quote: Originally posted by 2scoops I think if we learn to suppress our emotions, than when we do it so much, we don't really relaize were doing it, than those emotions become repressed and we are no longer aware of them. I agree totally with that statement. Many of us learn to be good at when we were children and thats the reason we are here on this forum.
2scoops	Posted - 05/30/2007 : 08:27:13 I think if we learn to suppress our emotions, than when we do it so much, we don't really relaize were doing it, than those emotions become repressed and we are no longer aware of them.
armchairlinguist	Posted - 05/29/2007 : 20:59:27 So, now that I'm not at work I can be more long-winded and perhaps thus more helpful. I find that I firmly suppress conscious anger or other emotion, even if only partly, it becomes part of the reservoir because it has not been discharged. Emotions have energy and we need to experience them physically and mentally to discharge that energy. Maybe physically by crying or by hitting a pillow or dancing or yelling in a loud voice in an empty room, or even very subtle things like feeling a tightness in the chest or a warm feeling of comfort and peace (positive emotions can be repressed/suppressed too). Maybe mentally by dwelling on an important thought for a while or reviewing a memory of a situation or person. It often takes a lot longer to experience an emotion fully than I feel like I have, or I'm in a situation where I don't want to express the emotion right then, and I kind of know I have it, but I just push it away and get on with things. If I do this I don't experience the emotion, and the energy gets stuck in the reservoir with the repressed energy. We can even almost forget we meant to have the emotion. Like when we get angry at a friend for being late, maybe we don't act it out at all, then we just forget about it, because it's not really a "big deal" to the conscious, logical mind. Or a superior at work that we can't act angry with. We have to move on and deal with other things and the emotion just sits there and eventually is almost forgotten. We may remember that we had it, yet we still haven't experienced it. And that's kind of the worst case because we think we experienced it, but we really didn't. Lately I've been working more on appropriate ways of releasing emotional energy, and allowing myself to do it when I am first inclined to if I can, or later if I can't right then. It takes a lot of practice. -- Wherever you go, there you are.
eliuri	Posted - 05/29/2007 : 15:55:28 Hi there, armchairlinguist: quote: What Sarno material have you read? I liked MBP, it's a good summary of the fully-developed theory without too much extra stuff. [quote] I've read Healing Back Pain years ago. It's the only book by Dr Sarno I have. I did order: The Divided Mind and The Mindbody Prescription But I don't know when those will arrive. I'll have a look-see in that latter book on this when I finally get it. Would also be interested in what people on this forum have experienced with regard to this dichotomy. Thanks for your response: -Eliuri
armchairlinguist	Posted - 05/29/2007 : 15:32:07 Suppressed anger is also said to play a role in TMS. It's mentioned in The Mindbody Prescription at least. What Sarno material have you read? I liked MBP, it's a good summary of the fully-developed theory without too much extra stuff. -- Wherever you go, there you are.

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