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hottm8oh
USA
141 Posts |
 Posted - 07/08/2008 : 13:50:34
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| My two chronic TMS symptoms have been back pain and IBS. Both symptoms have subsided significantly. I would say the pain is 70% better and the IBS is 90% better. Two weeks ago my skin went crazy. I had an outbreak of cystic acne. The acne is now gone but my face is now flaking off dead skin like crazy. This is very atypical of my usual skin behavior. I've read Dr. Sarno's books and he mentions dermatologic TMS, but does not give the specific symptoms. Could this be symptom imperative? How should I handle it, since exploring my feelings won't make the zits go away anytime soon? |
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ChrisSC
25 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2008 : 14:09:48
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I'd say theres a good chance this is the symptom imperative at work. The past few weeks I've really discovered just how desperate the mind is to create distractions. The range of distractions seems to be extraordinary, and the fact that the skin issue is bothering you enough to write on the forum is a good indication that it indeed was intended to bother you.
As an interesting personal example of symptom imperative: I recently noticed that obsessive thought patterns have been entering my mind starting shortly after most of my joint pain was diminished. When I figured out that these obsessive thoughts were being used as a distraction, I immediately experienced heartburn (not typical for me at all). Later that day, when I felt another obsessive thought creeping in, I stopped it... and I got hearburn again! Each day my list of possible distractions seems to increase... your acne is more likely than not another one of these.
As for immediate relief, I'd just treat it how you would 'normal' acne. Understanding it's a distraction will hopefully prevent any new zits from appearing, but I'm not sure you can really do anything to make the current ones go away :( |
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la_kevin
USA
351 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2008 : 14:12:12
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I didn't believe that skin issues can be equivalents when I started TMS study. I soon found out that I was wrong. Skin CAN be affected by TMS.
Do the usual 'over the counter' stuff, or whatever it is that you feel works best.
I'm a big fan of 'Proactive' Acne wash myself.
Just know that acne can be TMS, I've seen it myself.
And maybe it is acting up now because the other symptoms are improving?
A little switcheroo business?
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"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans"- John Lennon |
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mk6283
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2008 : 14:49:59
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I've seen a few people with similar outbreaks of cystic acne (rather severe cases) that I thought were definitely TMS equivalents. Psychodermatology is an evolving field and although most dermatologists would agree that many conditions (acne, psoriasis, etc.) can at least be aggravated by psychological factors, no definitive approach to treatment has been described. However, some on the forum have reported improvement with TMS work so it definitely appears possible.
The famous hypnotherapist Milton H. Erickson, a pioneer in the psychoanalytic world, once instructed a patient with chronic severe acne to take a 2 week vacation and to remove every mirror from the hotel room and wherever else and to not look at his reflection (and to forget about the acne entirely and just enjoy his vacation) for the 2 weeks. Upon returning from the trip, he noticed that his acne was cured. Give it a shot! :)
Best,
MK |
Edited by - mk6283 on 07/08/2008 14:55:23 |
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mizlorinj
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2008 : 12:34:38
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| My son just graduated high school. His face went from being loaded with acne to creamy smooth! A few spots are still drying up and appear to be dissolving. Incredible transformation over a two week period! Was his skin disorder stress-induced? Sure seems that way! |
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Dermatologic issues
