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johnaccardi
USA
182 Posts |
 Posted - 03/13/2008 : 13:57:43
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Hello,
I have posted about my condition before. Anyway, I know I have TMS, but I'm finding it very hard to return to normal activity. My case is not that of pain...it's dry mouth. Pain may make certain physical activity fearful but once a TMS physician assures you that it will not cause any damage one can go about this physical activity(If they accept of course). My problem hinders me socially as I find it very hard to speak with this dry mouth. So, for me to return to normal activity I need to become the carefree social guy that I was before this. It seems to be exremily hard and I think my avoidance of these activities are whats hindering my recovery. Any advice? Thanks. |
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AmyAJJ
98 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2008 : 14:57:39
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Hi John -
I don't have that dry mouth symptom
that you're having, but have you tried
using mints or gum to help you in social
situations?
Might help keep your salivary glands in
action?
It's the first thing that occurred to me
after reading your post but I'm not sure if
it would be sort of like still going to
physical therapy or something for back
pain - and we're supposed to stop
those kinds of activities that
reinforce the idea that its a physical issue.
Would mints and gum be equivalent to that?
Just wanted to share it in case it helps.
I hope you figure something out that
works for you. |
Edited by - AmyAJJ on 03/13/2008 15:07:41 |
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johnaccardi
USA
182 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2008 : 15:56:13
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Thanks amy,
I do use gum, and of course drink a lot of water. These things do help but I was thinking the same thing as you: that they keep my mind on the physical. So, I'm trying to slowly cut back on using these things. |
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Dor
67 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2008 : 18:06:49
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I have written you a response to the post you sent to me, but have you considered or do you realize that dry mouth is nothing more than a symptom of anxiety? That need not be extreme anxiety, just the normal day to day things that people deal with. Do you know about the flight or fight response. When we are nervous, worried, upset, whatever, our bodies prepare for fleeing or fighting. Your dry mouth is a normal response to whatever you are feeling at the time. Nervous about making new friends? Worried about how you will appear to others or if they will like you? Wondering if you will be accepted? All of those things make your body go into a flight or fight response. Totally, totally normal. All you need do is realize what is happening and why. With knowledge comes power and you can see it for what it really is - your body's normal, normal response to the things you are feeling inside. So, what to do? Let it happen. Let your dry mouth happen and understand that it isn't going to hurt you and more importantly no one is really going to notice. In other words - float through it. Feel it and let it go. Your dry mouth is going to be there for awhile. It takes time before it will go away, but if you take can take the fear out of it by seeing it for what it really is you will find that slowly and steadily it will leave you. Understand, accept, and float through it. Easy? No! But, it will not fail you if you give it the understanding and compassion that it needs. Understand it for what it is, accept that it can not nor will not hurt you, understand that others most probably will not even notice, and go with it. The only way through it is through it and those things will give you the power to get through.
Thinking of you,
Dor |
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johnaccardi
USA
182 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2008 : 08:14:25
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Dor,
Yes, I do know that dry mouth is a common symptom of anxiety which I definately have had a lot of. I know of the fight or flight response as I have said in my other post, I am a psychology major. This knowledge is very helpful I'm sure, I just have to learn to fully accept that this is what's causing the dry mouth and that It will go away. I will try to follow your advice, as you have said it's difficult, but I know I can do it. |
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Dor
67 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2008 : 12:24:41
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You might want to check out the books by Dr. Claire Weeks. She has helped so many people and her work is used by many psychologist and is the basis for much of the treatment of anxiety today. She also shares much of the same philosophy as Dr. Sarno although said in a different way and a bit before his time. Books are easy to read and understand and can be found on Amazon. Excellent advice and excellent tools to use.
Congratulations on being a psychology major. Now I know this will definitely turn to your good one day. How better to understand and to treat than to have experienced some of it yourself! Bravo, the world needs more like you.
Dor |
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Eventually?
