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robbokop
United Kingdom
75 Posts |
 Posted - 05/17/2005 : 08:18:39
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Howdy folks.
I like this quote:
'The beginning of a habit is like an invisible thread, but every time we repeat the act we strengthen the strand, add to it another filament, until it becomes a great cable and binds us irrevocably in thought and act.' -Orison Swett Marden.
I think this can really be applied to TMS - we place an inappropriate amount of focus upon a small physical symptom until we can no longer not think about it and the symptom increases in severity, and begins to rule our thoughts. Each thought becomes linked with the symptom and it then becomes increasingly more difficult to break the pattern - a snowball effect.
I am experiencing this at the moment - with symptoms of freezing hands, even in this nice early Summer UK weather! The more I focus on the symptoms, the worse they become, at it's worst so that whole torso is shaking with cold. I notice how many times I am thinking of my hands, sometimes I realise I am staring at them/checking temperature, or putting them in my pockets to warm them out of habit.
Rob
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ssjs
USA
147 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2005 : 08:33:41
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So true Rob!
I remember when I would feel the littlest tinyest nothing of a twinge, I would actually say to myself that I was in crises and of course that would build up until it was true...and every time it got worse and worse!. It became all I could focus on. Yes, the pain definitly became a habit! Until every twinge became a weeks long drawn out horror show of pain.
Sandy |
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n/a
374 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2005 : 11:32:07
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Good quote, Rob. Hypervigilance has to be a major factor in TMS for many (all?) of us.
One of the pointers that put me on to the fact that my back pain and various other assorted ailments were psychological in origin was that I noticed that if I was involved in something that really took my attention, the pain would disappear and return again when my brain got the chance to return to my back. This was before I heard about TMS.
A horror show indeed, Sandy. I know exactly what you mean by that! |
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robbokop
United Kingdom
75 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 08:50:15
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Yes, Hypervigilance is the word Anne! I mean, we are focusing on a part of our bodies excessively - I seem to recall that I have done this all my life, even as a young child. I think the reason I managed to get rid of constant headaches several years back, was by using a system to take the focus of my brain away from the body, over a sustained period of time(which I have mentioned before on the board - Treats). Even with applying the Sarno theory, I think many TMSers have got a symptom which has become so conditioned that is very hard to break. The brain finds it very difficult not to keep falling into the same cycle of thinking about the symptom. How did you get rid of your back pain Anne, using Dr Sarno's books or another way?
I would also like to recommend everyone to read 'The Tao of Pooh' by Benjamin Hoff. I read it years ago and it had a profound effect on me. Thought it time to read it again, and it really is fantastic and is making me smile - a lot! 
I'm off to start a "No More Horrow Shows - Don't need 'em" campaign on TMS! |
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Laura
USA
655 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 11:27:11
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Rob,
Wow. Did you hit the nail on the head, or what! This quote reminds me of a movie I saw last night. It was recommended to me by my naturopathic doctor and it is called "What the Bleep Do We Know." It stars Marlee Maitlin. Anyway, it is about quantum physics and contains some pretty heavy stuff. I was really tired but I got through most of it. Tonight I'm going to try to watch it again. I have it on loan but am going to go on-line and try to buy it. I actually wanted to start a New Topic on this so that I could share the info with others.
Thanks for the great post!
Laura
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miehnesor
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 13:25:09
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| Rob- Are your symptoms getter worse? Seems like from your last posts. |
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miehnesor
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 13:45:37
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quote:
Originally posted by robbokop
How did you get rid of your back pain Anne, using Dr Sarno's books or another way?
Rob- Anne can answer this but I was thinking that you might want to do a search on my posts because she explains it in pretty detailed fashion. |
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robbokop
United Kingdom
75 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 15:08:58
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Hi Miehnesor - how you diddlin?
No, symptoms are not worse - I've had the cold thing for several months, was just starting to annoy me I guess. It's such a little thing, doesn't really stop me from doing anything so that's why I haven't mentioned it till recently. The thing is, the whole time I had RSI I suffered from cold hands and it is the last bit to shake off. Today they've pretty much been fine all day, so maybe the message is finally getting across to that area of the brain labelled stuborn mule!
I'll check out Anne's response on your messages.
Rob |
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miehnesor
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 09:02:27
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quote:
Originally posted by robbokop
Hi Miehnesor - how you diddlin?
No, symptoms are not worse - I've had the cold thing for several months, was just starting to annoy me I guess. It's such a little thing, doesn't really stop me from doing anything so that's why I haven't mentioned it till recently. The thing is, the whole time I had RSI I suffered from cold hands and it is the last bit to shake off. Today they've pretty much been fine all day, so maybe the message is finally getting across to that area of the brain labelled stuborn mule!
I'll check out Anne's response on your messages.
Rob
Almost sounds like you will be successful with your TMS by simply repediating the physical. In that case maybe you will not need to go the therapy route and plumb the emotions. I agree with AnneG however that there are additional benefits to connecting with TMS emotions outside of healing the TMS symptoms. I can't really see it so much as others in my family can.
Does "how you diddlin" mean how are you doing? I've spent time in England and even had an English girlfriend many moons ago but see I still don't know all the lingo. |
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robbokop
United Kingdom
75 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2005 : 09:21:48
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One of my friends always says 'how you diddlin'?' meaning how are you doing - don't think it's particularly English, he's fairly eccentric! I live in Liverpool, all sorts of great local expressions here!
We will see regarding my symptoms - It certainly is an interesting time for me. I feel a bit like I'm at a crossroads and am deciding which is the best road to take... |
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Topic |
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Habit
