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weatherman
USA
184 Posts |
 Posted - 01/30/2008 : 09:24:32
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Something fundamental that I haven't really seen addressed - how do you identify sources of rage that you may not be aware of when your conscious rage at the problem you're having overwhelms everything? I am dealing with another achilles episode quite similar to one I had a bit over a year ago. For those of you old enough to remember Night Gallery, I'm feeling much like the man with the earwig at the end of the episode, when - having just survived the earwig crossing his brain - he was told that it layed eggs.
My conscious rage over dealing with this AGAIN totally overwhelms anything else that might be bothering me. You've all heard the expression "Well, Mrs. Lincoln, except for the play how was your evening?" Kind of like trying to see the beam from a flashlight in broad daylight. Even if the problem truly originates from unconscious rage, the conscious rage over the problem itself seems to keep me from a long-term resolution.
My personality and pain history are full of TMS hallmarks, the problem with "pushing through" with an achilles being that there is certainly some disaster potential if the "injury" is actually real. The doc who manually examined it didn't see anything abviously wrong, but then they always cover their bases by suggesting things like "microtears" etc. - so you're still left wondering.
Weatherman
"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2008 : 10:30:33
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It is important to make a distinction between unconscious rage and conscious feelings.
The unconscious rage cannot be felt. It can never be identified with certainty. All you can do is think about all the ingredients that might fill the reservoir. Anger towards TMS symptoms is not one of those ingredients. It is a smokescreen.
Try not to get frustrated. Calmly say to yourself, "OK, my achilles really hurts now. What might I be repressing?" Think deeply about psychological issues. That in and of itself should be a distraction from the symptom. Do this over and over, every time you are aware of the pain. This develops a new habit, a new conditioned response. It takes time and perseverence.
Ultimately, identifying the psychological sources of the symptoms is secondary. Reconditioning yourself is paramount. |
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weatherman
USA
184 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2008 : 17:00:10
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Dave - good point, I probably haven't really grasped the distinction between conscious and unconscious rage - especially the idea that the unconscious rage is often about something you never thought twice about.
Something very closely related to rage is fear, particularly the irrational kind. I think you're saying (activity-wise) to just continue going about your business but focus not on the pain, but what you're unknowingly angry about. I struggle to NOT focus on thinking the worst when experiencing achilles discomfort - i.e., the belief that the pain means I'm damaging something, which the entire medical establishment reinforces. Many years ago I went the rounds with my back and knees (separately), but upon researching I figured out that those pains were meaningless as far as really damaging anything. Consequently my back and knees give me no trouble now (at 51). In a way, I suspect that I get attacked in my achilles area because it's the one area of pain that makes me fearful.
The medical establishment doesn't help matters. When you have a sore back, lots of docs will tell you to go about your business and not worry about it too much. Ditto for some knee pains (like chondromalacia). But, for any achilles issue they will recommend rest or reduced activity, along with dire warnings about what could happen if you don't comply. As anyone who's had it can testify, achilles pain doesn't happen in brief episodes like some back spasms, where you're fine much of the time. It's more like a constant (whenever you're walking, that is) low-grade, but exquisitely NASTY discomfort. Although Sarno never talks about it at length, it probably falls in the category of foot pain, which he says can take much longer to resolve.
Weatherman
"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." |
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2008 : 08:46:46
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TMS will continue to attack the areas that most distract you.
The most important thing you can do is ignore the symptoms. Obviously this is difficult and sometimes you can't help but be aware of them. When you are, shift your thoughts. Immediately associate the pain with something psychological. It's that shift in thought that is important. It signals that you are aware of the connection: the distraction is not working because you are thinking about those 'forbidden' emotions anyway. Over time the symptoms should lose their grip on you. |
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Question about rage
