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n/a
560 Posts |
 Posted - 09/06/2005 : 16:15:59
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How does one deal with doubts, especially when you have been faithfully doing the TMS work for many many months and yet see little or no relief? What I mean by doubts are misgivings regarding the correctness of what Dr. Sarno is saying or, if what he is saying is true, that it may not apply to you personally. Surely this is a problem for many on this message board as we are longer term sufferers, and it is an extremely powerful distraction where you are left with the feeling of powerlessness and that you are grasping at straws.
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Edited by - n/a on 09/06/2005 19:25:07 |
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ssjs
USA
147 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2005 : 19:00:19
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I have not written for awhile...and I will tell you why. I had been totally fine for years and years...then since reading all of these posts, I've been dizzy, my feet hurt, and my tush muscles have been rebelling against standing, sitting, and everything in between.
I stopped reading all of these posts and improved right away. Now I take a look once in a while, because I want to see how you all are doing, but I do not focus on it.
It is not that it is bad to read or write about all of our pain...it is just that everyone is so focused on it, that it just becomes another distraction. So if we arn't involved with our own physical pain, we are involved with someone elses. I do not think it is a good thing. Day in and day out.
And it keeps the doubts coming back over and over. not only do we worry that we arn't getting better, but we see others arn't and we worry even more...when the truth is, that those who do well, do not frequent these message boards!
For almost 20 years I have been fine. Now In a couple of months,I've thought about my physical body more than I did in the last 17 years!
My recommendation is the same one they give you in school. Don't cheat! In other words, follow your own heart and body and get better. Do not look over your shoulder to see what other people are doing.
Unless of course that is what you really need to do. But it hasn't helped me. Guess I need to be on my own in my continuing recovery.
Oh yea, My pains were very short term, because I had a word with myself, told my brain to shove it, and went on with life.
Sandy
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Calvin
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2005 : 20:21:24
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quote:
Originally posted by ssjs
I stopped reading all of these posts and improved right away. Now I take a look once in a while, because I want to see how you all are doing, but I do not focus on it.
It is not that it is bad to read or write about all of our pain...it is just that everyone is so focused on it, that it just becomes another distraction. So if we arn't involved with our own physical pain, we are involved with someone elses. I do not think it is a good thing. Day in and day out.
And it keeps the doubts coming back over and over. not only do we worry that we arn't getting better, but we see others arn't and we worry even more...when the truth is, that those who do well, do not frequent these message boards!
I agree. I had a similiar situation with an anxiety/depression bulletin board I'd frequent. I would log in and check the new posts, offer some advice, but it seemed like it would reinforce my anxiety/depressive cycles. Once I tried an experiment and completely stopped going to such boards - stuck to the books that I knew well and over time started to really feel better emotionally. And when I felt better emotionally, I really didn't feel the need to return to those boards.
I'm very new here, but I'm noticing the same thing. I search the forum for particular symptoms that I'm having, which is good - but sometimes I get wrapped up in what others write and maybe start to feel that I'm absorbing new aches and pains - could be a tme to give it a break.
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alanc
USA
18 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2005 : 06:53:39
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| Where are your doubts?. Dr. Sarno covers everything in his books. He gives substatial proof to his theory. My guess is your doubts are your subconcious mind winning or making an effort to win. Talk to your mind and tell it you are aware of its efforts and will not accept its beliefs. Sometimes you have to struggle within yourself and you have to win. Certainly focus on something emotional. |
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randolo
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2005 : 17:30:08
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I have had similar doubts, more in the past than lately, but still some. I've also read others say they've had the same doubts. They are just the TMS gremlin playing with your mind. Try to ignore them as much as possible. Focus on any positive results you've experienced. (another thing the TMS Gremlin does is cause you to de-emphasize positive results and focus on the negative).
Doubts are like fearing the pain. Whenever I'd experience pain from activity I'd think "oh no! Either Sarno is wrong or I don't have TMS." But that's not true. It's just that our conditioning hasn't worn off yet. If you have continuing pain it's a sign that you DO have TMS. Stick with the program, EXPECT to have some continuing pain, and be patient. Eventually you will reprogram yourself and it WILL get better.
Randolo |
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HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2005 : 16:47:43
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I think it’s normal to have doubts in the beginning when, as you say, you see little or no relief. I can easily relate to this as I was in the same position a few months ago.
How to deal with them?
“Little or no relief”. Discard the “no relief” bit. Focus on the “little”. Notice the smallest changes. (In the beginning the changes can be small.) Keep sight of those changes. They are important, because they show that something you’re doing is working. As soon as you realise that, I think the battle is won.
For me, it was noticing that pain came at the time of activity, rather than later.
Improvement is exponential: very slow and small to start with, but grows faster as your confidence grows and the fear diminishes.
If your doubts get you down, read the success stories. Also reread the answers to some of your previous questions, because I think there were some good ones there.
Btw I’m not disagreeing with Sandy and Calvin. Of course it depends what stage you’re at – it’s up to you to judge whether visiting this forum is beneficial for you.
I’m still fresh and new here, but I can understand there may come a stage when I need to give it a break.
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Dealing with doubts
