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Screensize: 640 x 480 800 x 600 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024 UserName: Password: Format Mode: Basic  Help  Prompt  Format: Font Andale Mono Arial Arial Black Book Antiqua Century Gothic Comic Sans MS Courier New Georgia Impact Lucida Console Script MT Bold Stencil Tahoma Times New Roman Trebuchet MS Verdana   Size 1 2 3 4 5 6   Color Black Red Yellow Pink Green Orange Purple Blue Beige Brown Teal Navy Maroon LimeGreen Message: * HTML is OFF * Forum Code is ON Smilies [quote][i]Originally posted by guej[/i] [br]I just wanted to share a revelation I had today during my second session with a psychologist recommended to me by Dr. Sarno. I've been battling constant groin/buttock pain for a year now. I came across Dr. Sarno's books, and eventually enrolled in his program in NY 2 months ago. While I'm pretty comfortable in refuting a physical cause for the pain (believe me, I've seen every type of doctor and have done the usual around the world set of treatments), I still haven't experienced the book recovery or rapid recovery. However, if I really sit down and compare what my life was like when my symptoms were at their absolute worse, and where I am now, I can honestly say that I am about 50% better. Still....I have to admit that not being totally pain-free made me feel as though I wasn't making progress. Fast forward to today. While I was bearing my soul to this doctor, I admitted out loud that my biggest issue seemed to be my fear that I won't be one of the success stories. I actually admitted that when I read the Sarno statistics, I don't see the large percentage that get better. I see the small number that don't get better (in some of his books, that was 2 out of 117 patients, in other books it's 10 or 15% of patients), and I automatically think I'll be in that group. It's a complete "glass is 1/2 empty" perspective, but that's my natural inclination. This doctor pointed out to me that the fact that I've already improved 50% means I'm not in that "failed" category. I didn't see it that way before. I assumed that not being 100% pain free meant that I was in the small statistic of people who failed to get better. If I allow myself to let go of my old thinking patterns, I could actually recognize that I'm nowhere near the "no relief" group. For all we know, that group reverted to structural beliefs or just gave up. It may not seem like a big deal, but to me, it was such an eye opening experience of the way I think and the potentially detrimental effect it could be having on my physical symptoms. I took a piece of paper and split it down the middle. On one side I wrote all the worst symptoms I used to have and all the ways in which my life was negatively affected. On the other side, I wrote for each one where I am right now. There was really a huge difference. I need to keep updating this list and reminding myself of the progress I've made. Interestingly, I came across a list of "goals" I wrote for myself a few months ago, which included a "wish list". I was shocked to see that I'm actually doing now some of the things that were on my long term wish list. Again...what is wrong with me that I can't recognize and celebrate progress! I've taken an all or nothing attitude, so I fail so see gradual improvements. Granted, some days, like today, the pain sucks and I feel dispair again. I need to get into the habit of not letting it become a full day or multiple day backslide, and to regroup. Most importantly, I need to believe and be patient. I'm a work in progress... [/quote]   Check here to include your profile signature.