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Effie
USA
46 Posts |
 Posted - 02/08/2014 : 05:11:29
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I just wanted to recommend this book to anyone here who is looking to use the TMS/Dr. Sarno techniques to help them overcome overeating. I was one of the lucky ones who successfully overcame severe chronic pain several years ago by reading Dr. Sarno's books, and then I subsequently cured chronic severe hot flashes within only a few days using his techniques. I had been looking ever since to find information on whether or not my brain could be causing my overeating and chronic dieting, how to use that information to stop overeating and I found Kathryn's book this week -- it is GREAT! She describes in detail how she did it, and how our brain creates the abnormal neural pathways, and the science of neuroplasticity. I was literally crying while I read it and I haven't overeaten since then. Her book is so good I plan to always keep it on hand to read when I need it for any TMS related problems.
I love Kathryn’s steps to stop the cycle:
1. View the urge to binge/overeat (pain)as neurological JUNK from my lower brain.
2. Separate my highest human brain from the urge to binge/overeat (pain)
3. Stop reacting to the (pain, hot flashes, urge to binge/overeat, etc.)
4. Stop acting on the urge to binge/overeat (pain). (In my case with my pain, I followed Dr. Sarno's advice to stop going to physical therapy, stop taking pills, stop everything I was doing that acknowledged and reinforced my lower brain’s efforts to keep those neural pathways active.)
5. GET EXCITED! (excited just doesn’t begin describe it -- “floating on air” is a better description -- bring it on lower brain, I’m onto you now!!!)
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Edited by - Effie on 02/08/2014 05:17:38 |
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njoy
Canada
188 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2014 : 23:05:38
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Great post, Effie. I definitely have a "part" that turns to food when I'm sad and sulky. Journaling helps to root out the feelings but often not before I've downed something I wouldn't ordinarily eat.
It's exciting to hear the suggestion to, "2. Separate my highest human brain from the urge to binge/overeat". That is SO right up my alley.
Thank you! If the book is available in Kindle format I'll no doubt buy it.
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Interested in self help for TMS though working with "parts" (sub-personalities)? More info here: http://www.tmswiki.org/forum/forums/parts-therapy-and-ifs-internal-family-systems.34/ There's a Mailing List you can join and also a Saturday Call In if you have questions (details on the Resources sticky).
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Scottydog
United Kingdom
330 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2014 : 00:47:56
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I am half way through this book after reading your recommendation Effie.
I don't binge eat but have always had sugar cravings, enjoy a drink too many in the evening and have sleep problems (obviously not helped by scoffing sugar and alcohol  ).
This book really sounds sensible and I can identify with her 'uncontrollable' urges followed by guilt and anger with yourself.
Hope it works for me! |
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Effie
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2014 : 11:52:56
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I just found an even BETTER book, that takes up where Kathryn Hansen's book leaves off -- she recommends it on her web site, and it explains more about what is actually going on with your brain and overeating -- it's called "You Are Not Your Brain: The Four Step Solution for Changing Bad Habits, Ending Unhealthy Thinking, and Taking Control of Your Life," by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D. He explains everything so thoroughly and has four steps that can help you realize what is going on with your deceptive brain messages and how to intercept them. He reiterates a lot of the things Kathryn says in her book, but explains them much more thoroughly. It's the perfect companion book to read after hers.  |
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njoy
Canada
188 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2014 : 03:32:25
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Effie, I have that book, You Are Not Your Brain: The Four Step Solution for Changing Bad Habits, Ending Unhealthy Thinking, and Taking Control of Your Life by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D and agree it's good. At first, I thought "okay, but if my brain's not me, what is?" Then I realized "me" is the combination of brain, heart and spirit, consciousness (and conscience), subconscious, memories, hangups -- the whole deal!
This helped me understand the difference between the "real me" and parts or sub personalities or hangups or fragments or opinions (whatever you want to call them) that actually push me out of the way and take over with their own agenda.
Would I overeat to make myself feel better? No I wouldn't. But somehow my brain veers away from what I really want (to be healthy and feel good, of course) and I have downed that whole bowl of buttered popcorn before I,"real me", wakes up to what's happening.
More and more, I realize that my job is to manage my brain AND the rest of me. That's what you are talking about here, I think. It's like anything complex (a garden, a family, a project, a life) -- complex things can't just be left to run themselves. They need an informed leader with goals and values and, guess what, that's me!
I have often wondered why life is so difficult at times. I am starting to realize that being who I really am is no small task.
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Interested in self help for TMS though working with "parts" (sub-personalities)? More info here: http://www.tmswiki.org/forum/forums/parts-therapy-and-ifs-internal-family-systems.34/ There's a Mailing List you can join and also a Saturday Call In if you have questions (details on the Resources sticky).
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Brain over Binge by Kathryn Hansen
