HealingMe

I discovered Dr. Sarno earlier this year (2024) after I spiraled into deep anxiety and panic over pelvic, hip, and back pain. The pain would move around to different parts of my body; there was no consistency to it. One day I'd be fine sitting, the next day I couldn't sit for more than 2 minutes at my computer chair at work. The pain felt so real and so convincing.

Like everyone else I went from doctor to doctor and no one could give me a concrete answer or help me feel better. I was at my wits end and spiraled into a deep depression. I couldn't accept that this was going to be the rest of my life and that made me incredibly miserable.

After reading Dr. Sarno's books, The MindBody Prescription and The Divided Mind (this one is a good one!), I started the Structured Educational Program with some encouragement from all the wonderful people here.

My symptoms were what I like to call it "on the run" once the work began. I never finished the SEP before my pain disappeared one afternoon. I remember it clear as day. I was putting on makeup, heavily focused. Suddenly my mind was no longer pre-occupied with the constant worrying and ruminating.

My symptoms would come back on and off for the next week or so, but they were incredibly mild and I no longer feared them. Because if I could make them disappear, I trusted them would go away for good. And they did.

I've had anxiety for as long as I can remember. The first time I remember worrying and ruminating was when I was 5 years old over my body (health anxiety). I had choked when I was a child and I believe that was part of the beginning of it all.

I don't believe it diagnosis or labels because it keeps you in victim-mode and generally doesn't send a good message to your brain, but for the sake of this about me I'm currently working on recovering from my anxiety which consists of what mostly OCD. I have learned from Dr. Hanscom that this is an extreme form of mental pain. However, I have faith I will recover and be free from it because I am strong, I am capable, and I deserve to live a happy life.

What has worked for me? I believe it is a recipe of accepting the thoughts, a bit of journaling, learning to feel our emotions (stop repressing!), and bringing the pain (psychological or physical) along with us wherever we go whether we are having fun, engaging in our hobbies, or spending time with family.

Thanks for reading.