| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Teebox |
Posted - 09/26/2011 : 09:09:39
I would really like to get some advice/thoughts/tricks from people as to ways to reduce negative thoughts and fears and adopt a more positive mental outlook that can define your personality going forward. It is easier said than done, but I'm realizing that this plays a HUGE role not only in the onset of TMS, but defeating it... |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bryan3000 |
Posted - 09/28/2011 : 12:38:32
I've mentioned this guy before, but there are free podcasts by a guy named Gary Van Warmerdam on iTunes. (Pathway to Happiness.) He also sells a course for $100, but he gives lots of free (good) episodes to listen to.
It's not exactly about positive thinking, but about changing the belief structure underneath our thinking... which he says is more important that just trying to think positively.
I happen to think it's a bit of both. I think the repetition of imposing positive thoughts does help our minds, but I do also believe that you can't just simply repeat positive mantras without looking at what's going on with your belief structure.
Anyway, they're free. Have a listen.
(I also hope more people contribute to this thread, this is fantastic.)
_____________________________
-1/2010 - Developed chronic sinus problems. ENTs/Docs can't find anything
-5/29/2010 - Doc gives cocktail of allergy meds which induces first ever panic attack/anxiety.
-7/16/2010 - Anxiety stays/worsens - put on Xanax
2/1/2011 - Began Xanax taper - Withdrawal starts - full body chaos
-6/11/2011 - Last dose of Xanax. Physical/emotional chaos continues for several months.
-Now: Taking it day by day, looking for real answers and ways to heal myself without medical poison. |
| Teebox |
Posted - 09/27/2011 : 09:04:39
All of these posts are great! I hope people keep contributing... |
| Javizy |
Posted - 09/27/2011 : 07:50:29
quote:
Originally posted by jjh2go
I agree that mindfulness is a good tool for dealing with current stress or stressful situations in your life. However, I also think you need to be careful that you are not suppressing any emotions with the "stop worrying" or "think positive" approach. While it seems very innocent to focus on positive things, you may have some deeply suppressed emotions that need to be expressed. Sometimes the TMS symptoms will not go away until you fully express those feelings, so that way your brain no longer needs the defense mechanism (TMS).
For years I ignored my feelings. I pushed everything away, and just said to myself, "it's not going to bother me". Well, guess what? Things do bother me. They make me angry, sad, shameful, etc. Since I spent years not expressing those feelings, I finally had an emotional explosion.
So, when you are practicing mindfulness, be sure to feel those feelings, and keep them from getting buried.
The key principals of mindfulness are non-judging, patience, beginner's mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance and letting go. If you're suppressing thoughts or forcing a certain mindset, you're not practising mindfulness. Mindfulness can involve acknowledging negative thoughts and feeling negative emotions; the central aim is simply to live in the present moment.
The idea that it's about being happy all the time is a misconception; experienced practitioners tend to be so emotionally well-balanced because the techniques are so effective. In fact, the so-called happiest man in the world, Matthieu Ricard, has completed over 10,000 hours or meditation. Studies have also shown that meditation can improve brain plasticity, which means unlearning bad habits and replacing them with good ones becomes much easier. Perhaps even more interesting to TMSers is the painkilling potential of meditation.
quote:
With the help of arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI, researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have imaged how mediation helps the brain deal with pain, according to a study published in the April 6 edition of the Journal of Neuroscience.
The group concluded that meditation can reduce pain intensity by as much as 40% and pain unpleasantness by 57%. Meditation was more effective in reducing pain than morphine or other pain-relieving drugs, which typically reduce pain ratings by approximately 25%.
The study enrolled 15 healthy volunteers who had never meditated. The subjects attended four 20-minute classes to learn a meditation technique known as focused attention, in which people are taught to concentrate on breathing.
Before and after meditation training, the brain activity of study participants was imaged using ASL-MRI. During the scans, a pain-inducing heat device was placed on the right leg, heating a small area of skin to 120° F for five minutes.
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| tennis tom |
Posted - 09/27/2011 : 07:46:23
Good job Balto! That is an excellent medicine for curing TMS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR. SARNO'S 12 DAILY REMINDERS:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0dKBFwGR0g
TAKE THE HOLMES-RAHE STRESS TEST
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_and_Rahe_stress_scale
Some of my favorite excerpts from _THE DIVIDED MIND_ :
http://www.tmshelp.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2605
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." Jiddu Krishnamurti
"Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional." Author Unknown
"Happy People Are Happy Putters." Frank Nobilo, Golf Analyst
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| balto |
Posted - 09/27/2011 : 05:00:44
Most of the advices above would help very much. But I like to add this: Long ago I use to live alone. I lead a very lonely life and very often suffered from all kind of stress illness. My mind were full of negative thoughts and hopeless feeling. I didn't really get better until I make big changes to my life style. I volunteered, I joined charity organizations, I traveled to third world countries, I forced myself out of my comfort zone and meet people. I met many less fortunate people than myself and that made me appreciate what I have more. And by helping people less fortunate I feel better about myself, I feel like I have contribute, and those smiles, those "thank you's" just lift my spirit and tell me I am worth something. I also made many friends who helped me not feeling lonely any more.
We do need others. We do need to see the world to appreciate what we have. Even going down to the homeless shelter in town would make us realize our life is not so bad. |
| jjh2go |
Posted - 09/26/2011 : 18:27:13
I agree that mindfulness is a good tool for dealing with current stress or stressful situations in your life. However, I also think you need to be careful that you are not suppressing any emotions with the "stop worrying" or "think positive" approach. While it seems very innocent to focus on positive things, you may have some deeply suppressed emotions that need to be expressed. Sometimes the TMS symptoms will not go away until you fully express those feelings, so that way your brain no longer needs the defense mechanism (TMS).
For years I ignored my feelings. I pushed everything away, and just said to myself, "it's not going to bother me". Well, guess what? Things do bother me. They make me angry, sad, shameful, etc. Since I spent years not expressing those feelings, I finally had an emotional explosion.
So, when you are practicing mindfulness, be sure to feel those feelings, and keep them from getting buried. |
| mala |
Posted - 09/26/2011 : 18:09:57
I happened to come across this book in my school library a few years ago. How to Stop Worrying & Start Living by dale carnegie may have been written in the 1940s but I think he was onto TMS even back then. Very easy to read with lots of anecdotes. I highly recommend it. It helped me a lot.
Good Luck & Good Health
Mala |
| bryan3000 |
Posted - 09/26/2011 : 14:13:11
This is a great topic.
I don't have much to add off the top of my head, but I will say that I believe employing a positive attitude is paramount in overcoming these issues. It can't just be repeating catch-phrases, either. We've got to know we can achieve these things.
I'm lucky in the sense that I've always had a pretty positive attitude, at least consciously. I think I can do most things I set my mind to. For me, I think it's fear and personality/past issues that derail me.
But, I'm thankful that a positive nature seems to be part of my make-up.
Think of exercise. If you've ever done any... and it's gotten rough... you know it's tempting to quit. Your mind tries to convince you that you can't go on. But, you've overcome it. You push on, you DO finish and you prevail. It's a simple analogy, but I think it's applicable. Overcoming emotional issues requires that same kind of "I can do this" approach... the same kind of mental push.
Now, some will argue that a positive attitude is useless without changing your underlying belief system. I totally agree with that. But, I think that sometimes we also have to "fake it until we make it." We have to work on our beliefs, but sometimes we can power through troubles to the extent that new beliefs are established. ("Wow, I really CAN do this.)
I say do whatever you can. If it means hanging signs in your house, do that. Pictures of inspirational people, do that. Looking back through your journal at positive entries... finding role models... surrounding yourself with positive people... whatever you can do.
I'm not saying to try to repress or disregard negative feelings, but to search for that kind of positive inspiration at every turn is crucial, imo.
Again, great topic. Hope to read more opinions on this.
(Also agree with the Jon Kabbot-Zin recommendation.)
_____________________________
-1/2010 - Developed chronic sinus problems. ENTs/Docs can't find anything
-5/29/2010 - Doc gives cocktail of allergy meds which induces first ever panic attack/anxiety.
-7/16/2010 - Anxiety stays/worsens - put on Xanax
2/1/2011 - Began Xanax taper - Withdrawal starts - full body chaos
-6/11/2011 - Last dose of Xanax. Physical/emotional chaos continues for several months.
-Now: Taking it day by day, looking for real answers and ways to heal myself without medical poison. |
| maccafan |
Posted - 09/26/2011 : 13:40:24
Hi Teebox,
I use to do negative "what if" thinking all the time. What if this is a tumor, what if the huricane comes this way...and so on. This way of thinking controlled my life for years. Then I heard something interesting on a self-help tape. When this way of thinking starts turn it around to a positive "what if", for instance..what if this isn't a tumor, what if the huricane doesn't come this way". This really has changed things for me a lot.
Another thing that has really helped my thinking is improving my appearance. Losing the extra 15 pounds has made me more energetic and more positive thinking. I rarely watch the news anymore and instead I dvr The Craig Ferguson (I think he's crazy and funny), Late, Late Show and watch it while I get ready for the day. I read and learn about interesting things like "quantum physics and the string theory" or read another book on The Beatles. I play some classic rock like Sly and The Family Stone and dance to the music like I use to at the hang out. I do more to help other people and animals.
But the main thing I do now is when I get a new scarey physical symptom I don't panic like I use to. Now days the first thing I tell myself is that it's about 100% likely that it is TM stinking S not something serious that is going to cripple or kill me. From past experience I Know that this is true.
Dr. Sarno's books literally changed my life for the better and even saved my life. I'm really glad that I bought that first small book of his.
Take this brother, may it serve ye well,   ...Maccafan
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| Javizy |
Posted - 09/26/2011 : 09:53:09
Reading about mindfulness in the book Full Catastrophe Living allowed me to change my mentality surprisingly quickly. My problem was a mixture of negative thinking and explosive reactions to the slightest stressor, e.g. dropping something, knocking my elbow etc. Much of it is completely habituated and automatic, so first becoming aware of what goes on in your mind goes a long way towards taking control of it. After that, it's just about accepting what you can't control.
Your whole conception of what thoughts are and their significance will change. Just because it's running through your mind doesn't mean it's worth dwelling on, believing or even paying attention to. I don't know if Full Catastrophe Living is the best option out there, but certainly mindfulness is worth looking into. Modern therapies like ACT and CBT are basically mindfulness without credit to mindfulness, perhaps because anything with a spiritual/religious background is taboo when it comes to psychology. Rest assured, you don't need to change your spiritual/religious beliefs to get on with mindfulness.
By the way, there's a good few chapters on mindbody research and the benefits of positive thinking, stress reduction etc in Full Catastrophe Living, and I found it really solidified my belief in the mindbody syndrome. The author explains things very convincingly using a lot of scientific evidence. It also contains an 8-week program run at a medical university for stress/pain patients. |
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