| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bryan3000 |
Posted - 02/17/2012 : 20:29:31
I realize some people believe in them, some don't. I understand it's about changing core beliefs and affirmations in and of themselves can't do this. But, I do think that buy into negative affirmations at times, simply because of repetition of thought. So, I believe that affirmations have their place.
Just wondering for those who have had some success. How have you used them? What manner? What kinds? Mind sharing any with us? Would be curious to see how people structured theirs. Sometimes I wonder if even just creating them (writing them) could be part of the benefit.
I've made progress but my TMS brain is still clearly up to its old tricks. Just moving around. I'm not letting it slow my life. I'm attempting not to pay it more credence than it deserves. But, I also want to inundate my mind with messages of change.
So, just curious if any here would want to chime in... thanks!
_____________________________
-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. |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| balto |
Posted - 02/23/2012 : 16:18:47
I think affirmation work or can be very helpful to your health and mentality if you also act and live just as you're telling yourself. If you tell yourself "I'm happy" then you have to also act happy, smile, and do things to celerate life. If you tell yourself "I'm strong" then you have to show it, work out, do chords, fix things around the house, exercise, run,...
OK, now I'm telling myself: "I will win the lottery, I will win the lottery"....
Let me go buy some lottery tickets... |
| tennis tom |
Posted - 02/20/2012 : 17:31:12
quote:
Originally posted by lynnl
The word 'affirmation' in this context does not mean squat to me! Nor do most of the other psychological and self-realization (or some such term) buzz words that I keep seeing used in the context or the TMS battle.
Lynn
I hear ya' Lynn and agree. Maybe Dr. Sarno's 12 daily reminders can be considered "affirmations":
DR. SARNO'S 12 DAILY REMINDERS:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0dKBFwGR0g
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| lynnl |
Posted - 02/20/2012 : 12:11:20
I probably should not even comment here, but being who I am, I can't help myself.
I don't mean to belittle anyone else's thinking or suggestions. I'm somewhat of a dinosaur, and my education, both formal and informal, in psychological matters is miniscule. So, those of you with views contrary to mine, please pardon me and just take this as one man's opinion.
The word 'affirmation' in this context does not mean squat to me! Nor do most of the other psychological and self-realization (or some such term) buzz words that I keep seeing used in the context or the TMS battle.
Dr Sarno's book(s) are brilliantly simple. I don't recall his use of any such words or terminology. His message is simple:
1. You must recognize/come to know/believe/accept/etc. that the pain is caused by mental/emotional processes, and is intended to serve as a distraction. And that, in and of itself, the pain is not significant. It does no harm; it just hurts.
2. Anytime you find yourself aware of the bodily pain, instantly shift your focus to emotional or psychological issues. (Granted, he does use the word 'psychological', but he doesn't go into elaborate buzz words as to what that entails.)
So I got his book, "Healing Back Pain", read it through very carefully (studied it closely actually), and compared my pain experiences over much of my life against what he was saying. After just few days of reading/studying the book, I suddenly saw myself in all of those same scenarios he presented, and suddenly said "Ah..ha! This is exactly what's been happening to me all along!" I also said, "Yes! By golly, if the purpose of this process is to serve a distraction, then it absolutely has to cease when it loses its purpose ...that is to say, when I recognize the truth (which I now have), and when I shift my attention (I am familiar with Pavlov and his conditioning concept). That is only logical.
With those "Ah..ha" moments, I instantly felt my pain subside, and that erased any last shreds of doubt that I may have harbored! As those last doubts vanished, so did the last vestiges of pain. At that point I felt "zero pain" ...for the first time in years.
Now, did it stay that way. No, of course not. The pain kept trying to return (for many months actually), but always with less intensity and less frequency, because I now knew the real truth, and always shifted my focus to emotional matters. I didn't really know exactly what Dr Sarno had in mind with his "emotional matters", but I came to learn that the exact nature of the emotions is pretty much irrelevant.
Now I suppose you could apply that term "affirmation" to my process of accepting beyond any doubt the truth of Sarno's TMS concept. ...but I'd rather not, it's too big of a word, and to me just clouds the issue.
The one thing that I think is lacking, or could be improved upon, is a caution to the sufferer to recognize the pain relief when it happens. Because I think full acceptance, i.e. knowing beyond a doubt can only come incrementally for most people. I think there will always be a tiny shred of doubt UNTIL you actually experience the relief. But as in my case, some relief can come anyway. The problem is, it won't be accompanied by bells and alarms sounding; it (relief) will feel very natural, juat like any normal situation when pain briefly eases slighlty. That happens to us all the time, we just don't make the connection between the pain increase/decrease and our ongoing mental affairs.
Well, sorry, I guess I've gone astray here and run off course. 
My intended purpose was to suggest that getting too wrapped up in terms and definitions and exact mechanics or techniques can be an impediment to progress.
Keep it simple: Come to know the real truth about your pain source; focus on emotions rather than your body's sensations; acknowledge/recognize the effects achieved when they occur to reinforce (Ok, affirm ) in your own mind that this works.
Lynn |
| bryan3000 |
Posted - 02/20/2012 : 11:53:36
Thanks Darko and Andy...
Yeah, I do believe you have to have belief behind affirmations. But, I also wonder if affirmations can be part of CREATING belief? Belief doesn't just come out of thin air. I assume that our beliefs come from thought, feeling, emotion, experience and yes... even words and language play a part in that.
But, I do buy into the notion that the more emotion or belief you can tie to an affirmation, the better.
I think of it this way...
2 years ago, I did not have anxiety/panic. I didn't really know what it even felt like. After my first attacks, things changed. At first, I thought it was just a reaction to medication and that it would go away. It did for a bit... then came back.
So, when it came back... I believe I started regularly using language about being "under attack" and helpless. I believe negative messages started to play in my head over and over... and those were certainly tied to fear and emotion.
However, just a few months earlier, I wouldn't have believed those messages. I believe the repetition of those messages helped them "stick" to my brain. Pathways were formed, etc.
Essentially, I think people who use affirmations correctly use them to the same degree that those negative thoughts first impacted me. When you're bombarded with something... many believe that it seeps into the subconscious and becomes part of your belief set. (Brain-washing, per se.)
Language is only part of the big picture, imo... but I do think there is a place. I haven't quite honed how I want to implement this... but it's interesting to discuss, and I'm starting to put some things in place.
Anyway, great reading your responses and I truly appreciate it!
_____________________________
-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. |
| andy64tms |
Posted - 02/20/2012 : 05:06:30
Bryan3000
I’d like to expound on what SteveO quoted..
“greater healing comes from seeking out someone who has healed from what you have,”
In 1984 I sought help at Alcoholics Anonymous. It was only with their support that I was able to overcome a chronic drinking problem and am alive today because of it. In the late 90’s I nervously joined Toastmasters, their feedback and friendship enabled me to face my fears of public speaking. I also have been a member of the EDD job search club many times with similar help, during bouts of unemployment.
In all of these examples I received solace and guidance from other people with the similar problems, people who had had success. And let’s not forget this forum, a great pace for us to be right now.
I feel I have to do something, some action in order to get results. Actions speak louder than words, or actions speak louder than affirmations. For me affirmations are the reminder to get going or the starter gun going off.
Great guy Dr. Andrew Weil, it was his book that pointed me to Dr. Sarno in 2000.
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| Darko |
Posted - 02/19/2012 : 19:06:09
Bryan,
I think getting whats going on in ones head is the most important thing one could do. I find affirmations without action pointless. Visualization is more important than anything, then affirming then taking massive action towards to goal. Oh and belief in yourself. I find when I do all of this then success comes.
An excellent exercise is to write out all your beliefs about a topic, because it's the opposing beliefs that you don't "know" about which stop your success. Once you are aware of the unwanted belief then you can address it, this I think is the reason people say affirmations don't work.
A belief is just a repeating thought, and that thought can be changed.
In the end mate it makes no difference what anyone says.....what YOU believe is important! If you believe they do OR they don't work then you are correct as with anything in life 
D |
| bryan3000 |
Posted - 02/18/2012 : 00:15:52
Steve,
So you're asserting that continually replaying a message in your head, positive or negative will have no effect? Sorry, I've worked with pretty highly acclaimed people who would beg to differ.
But, best of luck with the book.
Anyway, thanks for the response Forest, look forward to others.
_____________________________
-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. |
| forestfortrees |
Posted - 02/17/2012 : 20:39:43
I know that some people have found affirmations very helpful. I think of them as part of a larger program with journaling and possibly psychotherapy.
You may be interested in MizLoriNJ's affirmation page as well as the wiki's affirmation page.
Forest
Check out the TMS Wiki's free Structured Educational Program! |
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