TMS- A diagnosis or a key?

Giving this some thought. We have all spent gross amounts of time trying to get diagnosed for whatever our various symptoms are. I see TMS not as my diagnosis, but the key to unlocking the door to all the answers. A key I can use time and time again. I don't have to be labled with something in order to be better. I just need to use the key I have been given each time, and each time the answer is there - and always the same. Gentle reminders to my mind wait beyond that door, I speak them and things improve.

Diagnosis makes me feel trapped not better and I think we live within the confines they place-don't do this or that. A key makes me feel free, not trapped with access to all I need to heal and grow, time and time again.

This forum is different in that others I have been on are a bunch of people seaching endlessly for an answer, where this one is fantastic in that it is a bunch of people sharing how they have become enlightened and free.

 

Great idea leslie 0766. You are much better than leslie o765 was.

I just wrote an article for CNN on the damaging labels of "diagnoses." I used an example of Dr. Sarno's, one of mine that I witnessed, and one Dr. Sopher gave me. Labeling is disabling. I hope that doesn't sound too much like Al Sharpton, but it's true. Words cripple people. I see it all the time, and just posted a video on here a few minutes ago on the Andy Griffith Show to illustrate the point.

Your point, if I understood you correctly, is that TMS is also a limiting label, and that you are going to take the term TMS, turn it on itself, and see it as more than just a psycho-physical disorder. You are going to rise above all notions and become yourself. No one is going to keep this girl down again. Did I read you correctly?

If so, then good for you. We are as free as we think we are, no more, no less. We are not dependent on the opinions of others--unless we are codependent. Dr. Sarno freed me from my self-constructed prison. He was my turnkey to the rest of my life.

Steve

 

Leslie, I think that was beautifully expressed. Thank you!! I love the image of the key, it is such an uplifting way to think of TMS. I had the early stage of breast cancer about 10 years ago and ended up having a mastectomy. As I started my research and talked to a lot of breast cancer survivors I remember thinking "if one more woman tells me having breast cancer was the best thing that ever happened in her life I am going to explode." It took me several years to fully appreciate what a gift it was. Sometimes it is through these challenges that we discover our strength, connect with a great humanity, develop a deep awareness of ourselves and realign ourselves on a more meaningful path. It is a shame we have to suffer so much in the process but sometimes that is what it takes to force us to open these doors.

 

Hi, Leslie and Anne. Great exchange of thoughts in your posts.
I too used to cringe when someone said pain is a blessing. But it's true that it can lead us to spend
some time thinking about what might have caused our pain. TMS-related repressed emotions.
I thought I was doing myself a favor by pushing them out of my mind, but my subconscious
gave me back pain that led to me discovering Dr. Sarno and others and finding pain relief.
So it was a blessing.

I've been adding examples of movies that contain mind-body healing such as many TMS techniques.
I hope you have time to look at the forum post called TMS and Pop Culture. Some great stuff there.

 

Steve, Anne & Walt,

All the exchanges on life experinces is amazing. There is no complaining, just sharing. Steve, you understood me completely. I am learning that all my challenges have really been a blessing. I had this dream the other night about a butterfly that was trapped in her caccoon...very funny to me, yet moving. I have an aunt that paints and I have asked her to paint the picture for me. Was thinking about a tattoo, but maybe not. Anne, sorry you had to face breast cancer. I have a couple good friends that have met the same challenge and have learned so much from it. Horrible way to learn for sure. Walt, I will be looking at those videos for sure. Funny the memories that have cropped up that I didn't think about too much at the time...on the conscious level. No wonder I have been in knots!

 

Isn't it great getting to know each other and sharing our pain and recovery techniques?

 

Certainly is. I am in education so am on my summer vacation currently. I started out dreading it as I felt so horrible, but am ending on an upswing. I am amazed how this works. Feeling the best I have felt in years really. When you know in your heart you have found the answer it has such clarity. I am a school counselor and have been thinking for years about getting my license to work in another field and this certainly has peaked my interest. Life is such a teacher...we just have to learn to not run away and be the student I guess.

 

I really like that idea.
The current thinking is that you need a diagnosis in order to be helped.
But once you free yourself of that idea the real healing can be begin.