Thanks for posting that AnneG.
Another terrific book on this subject is "Hystories" by Elaine Showalter. In this book, she discusses the reasons for the spread of hysterical epidemics past and present including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
This issue is so important. There is an old saying that goes something like this "If you don't know your history you are doomed to repeat it". This is what we, as TMS sufferers, all have done in regards to medical history. Much of the blame can be put on the medical community who should know this history, but patients are equaly to blame for insisting that their maladies cannot be psychological in nature.
I implore those who are having difficulty believing the TMS diagnosis to read both Shorter's "From Paralysis to Fatigue" and Showalter's "Hystories". These books have helped solidify the diagnosis for me. They demonstrate that these epidemics are caused by the unconscious mind and change according to the current medical paradigm and prevailing culture. When they are not in vogue any more, they disappear.
Applying physical sounding names such as Fibromyalgia in the US and Myalgic Encyephalomyelitis in Great Britain to these current syndromes only perpetuates the problem.
All patient complaints should be taken seriously, but when no organic cause can be found than it is time to look at emotional reasons for the symptoms. As TMS advocates, we must promote the fact that there is no shame in this. The symptoms are real.
Now, with Dr. Sarnos's TMS theory we have a way to truly end these epidemics which cause so much pain and interrupt so many lives.
Yowire
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Tms vrs. Fibromyalgia
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 19:27:24
