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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
 Posted - 07/09/2006 : 09:13:15
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The Good Doctor's latest book look's like it will be a good read with a wealth of new insights into his TMS theory.
He uses the term "psychosomatic" more so than "psychogenic". Most people have heard of psychosomatic--psychogenic is more technical.
The language Dr. Sarno uses, in the introduction, is much more confident and more scathing of the malpractice, (my term, not his), of the medical/industrial complex.
In answer to who is subsceptible to being "victimized" by TMS and its myriad equivalents--everybody-- to quote him:
"Indeed, it would be most unusal to find someone who has never experienced one or more mindbody symptoms. One is forced to the conclusion that psychosomatic reactions and, therefore the emotions that cause them, are universal. It is important to recognize that they are not illnesses; they are a part of life, part of the human condition." |
Edited by - tennis tom on 07/09/2006 09:15:29 |
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art
1903 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2006 : 12:05:09
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The terms can be confusing...I was just thinking about this today,trying to sort it all out...
To my way of thinking, psychogenic means
originating in the mind, or beginning in the mind...If one believes ulcers are caused by stress for example, one could say that ulcers are psychogenic...
Psychosomatic is more complicated...I'd say it means, in addition to starting in the mind, that an illness, or a symptom, is in some degree or another an expression of what's going on in the mind...
TMS is a prime example...The mind actually causes symptoms as a means of distraction...
Anther example of a psychosomatic illness would be what used to be called hysteria...In the old days when it was in favor, in the same way say, that fibromyalgia is in favor today, people used to go blind, or become paralyzed...I'm pretty sure Dr. Sarno would call these, were they to crop up today, TMS equivalents...ON the other hand, since they have no physiologic basis at all, I'm not sure of that...
Anyone have any ideas? Interested in how others interpret these words..
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Edited by - art on 07/09/2006 12:57:21 |
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Singer_Artist
USA
1516 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2006 : 12:48:08
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| I think psychosomatic and psychogenic are very similiar in meaning..THe important thing is Knowing at the very core of our being that the PAIN/SYMPTOMS/NEUROLOGICAL SENSATIONS are not dangerous or physical...that they are coming from our MIND and there only to keep us from being overwhelmed with uncomfortable feelings/emotions...Sarno is right, it is part of the human condition...But we can beat it as well..With ALOT of determination and FAITH! |
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art
1903 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2006 : 12:59:55
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They are really not so similar in meaning I don't think..
Here's something that might clear it up...blushing...That's something that's clearly psychogenic, but just as clearly not psychosomatic.. |
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Singer_Artist
USA
1516 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2006 : 13:20:30
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Hey Art,
I see your point! Didn't realize they were so different...
~K  |
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miche
Canada
283 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2006 : 13:43:19
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| I know my feelings and my emotions, I am overwhelmed by the depth of them, this is the part I just don't get, how can I need a distraction from them when I AM SO AWARE, I cannot imagine having anything buried in my mind that is worst than what I feel at a subconscious level I AM STARTING TO BELIEVE THAT I MUST BE SUFFERING FROM A LEARNING DISABILITY AS I KEEP READING THE BOOKS........TO NO AVAIL |
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Susie
USA
319 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2006 : 13:53:25
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| If I remember correctly in Divided Mind, Sarno said he initially refrained from using psychosomatic because it had a connotation of being "just in your head". Inotherwords, he didn't want people to think their pain was just in their imagination but instead very real. He says that that really isn't what psycosomatic means. My interpertation of his definition is that the symptoms are caused by the psyche so I think that Art's assessment of both words is virtually the same. |
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art
1903 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2006 : 14:38:48
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quote:
Originally posted by miche
I know my feelings and my emotions, I am overwhelmed by the depth of them, this is the part I just don't get, how can I need a distraction from them when I AM SO AWARE, I cannot imagine having anything buried in my mind that is worst than what I feel at a subconscious level I AM STARTING TO BELIEVE THAT I MUST BE SUFFERING FROM A LEARNING DISABILITY AS I KEEP READING THE BOOKS........TO NO AVAIL
miche,
I hear you. It can be terribly confusing and painful, trying to wrestle with all this stuff while battling a devastating illness for which there seems no explanation, and no cure...
For what it's worth, I believe that the stress component of many of these illness is often over-looked....I very much believe one can cause all sorts of weird bodily dysfunctions by reason of stress alone...I just don't think everyone needs to resort to the classic TMS anger/distraction/symptom model..It can be confusing and even counter-productive, all that furious digging, and journaling, and feeling ever more painful emotions in some well-intentioned but I thikn sometimes misguided attempt to dredge up the most painful feelings from the very depths of one's psyche
A simple understanding of Dr. Sarno's main ideas along with attempts at stress reduction has been working wonders for me..I don't see why they can't for you...
But it takes time, and effort, and maybe a certain amount of creativity....Have some faith in the ability of your own body to right itself...It's truly amazing, the capacity we all have for healing...What we don't want to do is get in thne way of those very powerful forces by feeling ever more stress because we in some way think we're not getting it right, or not understanding things properly, or because we're not feeling every painful emotion known to man to the very nth degree..
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Edited by - art on 07/09/2006 14:44:38 |
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Singer_Artist
USA
1516 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2006 : 20:17:05
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Hiya Art! I just love your posts...Even when you are writing to someone else and I read it, it helps me! You should be a TMS therapist, you're a natural!
Hugs,
Karen |
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miche
Canada
283 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2006 : 20:52:50
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| Art, I agree with Karen, you are a smart, patient and caring individual, and we appreciate the help that you provide.I think that you have made a very accurate point in my case, ten years of continous stress along with having tms personnality has played havoc with my health, as they used to say in the good old days, my nerves are shot, it is affecting my health, I then worry over my bodily symptoms, that alone just adds to the stress, the bottom line is that I obsess over ways to get to feel better so I don't let anyone down who may need me, sometimes I feel that I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYONE'S HAPPINESS, a big burden that I have always assumed and feel guilty over if I can't quite manage to do just that,lately I have felt very inadequate at providing such help due to financial restraints, I am devastated over this. I certainly fit the tms personnality and I realise that I need balance in my life, you gave me lots to think about, thank you |
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Hillbilly
USA
385 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2006 : 11:29:00
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Art,
With such common-sense wisdom, I'm beginning to think you're a hillbilly too. Thanks for being one that believes in the simple approach first. Hoofbeats in the distance rarely mean zebras are approaching.
Neil |
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Scottydog
United Kingdom
330 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2006 : 12:14:12
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Miche
"I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYONE'S HAPPINESS, a big burden that I have always assumed and feel guilty over if I can't quite manage to do just that,lately I have felt very inadequate at providing such help due to financial restraints,"
I'm sure as you wrote that you knew it was part of your tms problem. I don't feel I'm cured exactly but have come to realise that you cannot fix anyone's problem - only they can do that and only you can fix your problems - being appreciated by others is not really it (though as a goodist it figures large). It's accepting yourself, warts and all, and not beating yourself up because of some imagined failing.
Others want sympathy and "understanding" (ie your agreement that what they said/did was right). I now realise that by telling others they were right/doing the best thing in the circumstances/making the right decision (which is what they want to hear) was often not the best advice and some honest truthfullness would have done them a favour - if angered them at the time. The goodist is not always the best friend.
Hope you can follow this.
Anne |
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Singer_Artist
USA
1516 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 09:00:41
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Hi Anne,
I followed it and found what you had to say very helpful...Especially the part about accepting yourself warts and all and not beating yourself up for some imagined failure...That was very wise advice!
Karen |
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wolf29
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 13:48:36
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Just ordered the book. Can't wait to sit down, in pain  , and start reading it. |
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THE DIVIDED MIND : some insights on a first read
