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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
 Posted - 07/24/2005 : 21:00:42
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I need your help:
I've seemed to have hit a so-called treatment plateau. Any advice as to how to overcome it? What have others done in the past?
Thanks!
Seth |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2005 : 06:30:48
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You are spending too much time and effort tracking your progress.
Don't think in terms of "overcoming" a plateau. Treating TMS is a life-long change in behavior and thinking. Take a long-term view and accept that symptoms will vary in location and intensity. |
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johnnyg
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2005 : 09:18:24
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| I felt like you a little while ago. When you obsess with "getting better", the distraction is still working. So I made an appointment with a TMS doctor. He strongly believes that making a list of the things that anger you is ESSENTIAL to recovery. In the 4 months I had been reading the books and doing therapy, I had not made such a list. I'm going to do it. Then when the pain comes you say, "there is nothing wrong with me, the pain is trying to keep me from thinking about ____ "[then recite the list]. He doesn't even think journaling is helpful--just the list. Unfortunately, he also thinks that a much higher percentage of persons need psychotherapy, which I don't want to do. |
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ssjs
USA
147 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2005 : 09:29:56
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I never journaled...I just "wallow"...for just a few minutes...in all the things that are making me mad.
Yesterday I had to take a family member for a medical procedure, and for the first time in eons, I woke up stiff...and in a bit of back pain.
My very first thought was "AHHHHHHH I hate helping people!!!"
No guilt, no trying to convince myself I wasn't being nice or compassionate...no talking myself out of it, nothing more than expressing the anger and stating an absolute fact.
That is the key. Then I was fine...and did my job.
Sandy |
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lobstershack
Australia
250 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2005 : 18:51:00
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That's a wonderful suggestion, i.e., the list. I'm going to try and compile that tonight (it could take a while!). And as always, thank you so much for all the wonderful advice. It's such a comfort knowing that I have this invaluable resource that will see me through to the other side no matter how long it might take!
It's so hot here in NY!
Seth |
Edited by - lobstershack on 07/26/2005 18:51:59 |
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johnnyg
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2005 : 08:27:09
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Seth:
Just a couple of tips about the list from the docs mouth, not mine---Keep the list relatively short like one page. You don't want to get bogged down in a long list. Don't dwell on the list too much, just be aware of each one. Make sure you list things that anger you from an unconscious level, not just conscious. For example, your drive to be perfect, or something from childhood (like divorce). The idea is to get the list from the unconscious into the conscious mind. At this point you shouldn't have to feel or experience the emotion, just be aware of it. |
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