| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kstarnes |
Posted - 02/07/2012 : 09:50:43
I am new to understanding TMS and need some advice. I am not clear on what I need to focus on when I am battling a new pain? Should I focus on how the process works (unconscious mind sending signal to body to avoid scary emotion(s)? Or should I focus on the emotions themselves? I guess what I am asking is: does one focus on content or process in order to best combat TMS? 
kevin starnes |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Bugbear |
Posted - 02/11/2012 : 10:18:44
"I have still, to this date, NEVER been able to pin down any one specific emotion or event or experience that my unconscious is trying to keep repressed. In fact, I'm convinced there is no ONE SPECIFIC thing. I believe it's just the accumulation of all of life's sorrows, angers, disappointments (particularly self-disappointments) that wreak the devastation on us."
This is so true for me, Lynn. When I think back on upsetting or traumatic events in my life, I am sure I can recall most times having to stuff down grief, anger or another strong emotion. Sometimes others cannot deal with these strong emotions so I keep quiet. Other times I am afraid to let the emotions surface because I don't know where it will all lead. There have been occasions, albeit when I was clinically depressed, where I cried and could not stop crying. That was frightening. I have had experience of intense anger where I really could have done damage to someone. That too was frightening. But all these emotions have to go somewhere and so they did. They went into my head, my stomach, my back, my legs, my shoulders, my neck, my jaw, my eyes and my ears. That's a bit too much emotion for one person. But I am still standing.
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| lynnl |
Posted - 02/09/2012 : 16:56:54
Kevin, from my experience, (which began about 12 years ago when I found my pain salvation in Sarno's Healing Back Pain) there is one little word in your question: "What should I think of when pain begins?," that represents a problem.
That word is "of."
Simply sitting down and thinking "OF" some past chapter in your life is NOT the same as sitting and dwelling and reflecting for a prolonged period, until the point where you are actually reliving the experience. To the point where you're almost smelling the same smells, hearing the same sounds, experiencing all of the same emotions, etc. that accompanied the original experience. In other words, reliving the event.
Furthermore, in my experience, I think it really does NOT matter what specific subject you dwell on or try to relive, just so long as it is meaningful to you emotionally speaking. In my experience, I found that tender, loving thoughts were far, far more effective. Thoughts of the kind that bring tears (actual tears), e.g. "sad movies make me cry" sort of thoughts. Thoughts of one's dear mother, and how she loved and cared for you, her precious child; try to imagine her thoughts and feelings as she held and loved you. Thoughts of the grief you felt at her funeral. Thoughts of the joy and happiness when your child was born.
(That was not meant to address you specifically Kevin, but just trying to give examples.)
Granted, I too have used the term "thoughts "OF", but the point I'm trying to make is that it's the emotions, the feelings that you should try to generate.
I have still, to this date, NEVER been able to pin down any one specific emotion or event or experience that my unconscious is trying to keep repressed. In fact, I'm convinced there is no ONE SPECIFIC thing. I believe it's just the accumulation of all of life's sorrows, angers, disappointments (particularly self-disappointments) that wreak the devastation on us.
We're each different and have had a different set of life experiences. So obviously someone else may need to take a slightly different tack for their situation. But I hope I've given some insight that will prove beneficial for someone.
Lynn |
| Dave |
Posted - 02/09/2012 : 12:16:08
Whenever you are aware of the pain, ignore it and live your life as if the pain was not there. Something may be bothering you that you're not fully appreciating or accepting. Try to find what it might be. You can't know for sure, but it is the act of trying to find it that is important. That is what sends a message to your unconscious that the pain is not working. |
| tennis tom |
Posted - 02/07/2012 : 10:46:35
If the pain is caused by TMS and is psychosomatic, focus on doing what you want to do. Once you understand the very simple theory, that TMS is premised on, that the pain is benign triggered by the subconscious, go ahead and break through it by doing the activities that the pain made you fearful of doing. Very simple, start the deconditioning process. Don't get stuck over-thinking, it's not that complicated. Don't get into paralysis by analysis.
If you want to find out the emotional issues that are at the root cause of your TMS, take a look at the Rahe-Holmes list in my sig below for the life situations that create the tension. To lessen your tension, fix or accept those tension creating life situations and get on with your life--easier said then done.
TAKE THE HOLMES-RAHE STRESS TEST
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_and_Rahe_stress_scale |
| Tippy |
Posted - 02/07/2012 : 10:13:05
Focus on talking to the pain and letting it know that it wont take you over. Im telling you read Sarno's books and meditate on them and do what he tells you. I can promise you that it will take time but it should be over in a few months. Sarnos practices can take days, weeks, or months but it will be a far cry from the years you have been suffering with this monster. That goes for the people suffering with Fibromyalgia as well. TMS has nearly crippled people (I was semi paralyzed) I know! People who say Sarno is a joke are sadly mistaken he has thousands of people who have been cured through his help. I must say when I found out that Howard Stern (Who jokes about everyone) was serious about this man I knew that there was hope. I found Sarno before I heard about Howard Stern and his praise for the man but it helped to reinforce things. Go to youtube and see the 20/20 story on Sarno with John Stossel. Anything you can do to reinforce the belief will help greatly. This did more for me than any stretching or painkillers could.
Stephanie |
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