Does our brain give us TMS to stop us from doing things it thinks are bad for us?

Dr. Sarno said that symptoms are caused by repressed rage. He denied that our brains create pain and symptoms to “get us out of things.”

But for me, I think that’s the case sometimes.

Case in point—my hands curled a year ago prohibiting me from typing. I was extremely overworked at the time, with plans to escalate my efforts. (I was in business for myself.) I had this crazy goal in mind that I wanted to achieve. Instead, I was forced to retire early.

Recently, I said to my brain, “if you uncurl my hands, I PROMISE not to go back to work. I’ll stay chilled.” About 2 weeks later, they uncurled.

Do you think it’s a coincidence?

 

There is no difference between you & your brain. They are one & the same. You manifested the pain through your thoughts/your brain & then got yourself out of it.

Mala

 

So I finally could see what I needed and I delivered it to myself. ?

 

Absolutely. You have that power. Just be truthful to yourself because the brain is good at discerning.

 

The way I understand Sarno's theory of TMS, is that we develop the symptoms unconsciously to distract from something that we deem worse than the symptom. So you are going, OMG my curling fingers! OMG my curling fingers! to distract from facing something worse according to your unconscious. What that something worse is, is for you to uncover. Perhaps fear of failure with your business, or fear of success....

So I agree with @Mala, but would add that we have a divided mind (unconscious and conscious), so they seem separate. Have you read Sarno's book the Divided Mind? All his books are great, but I especially like that one as it explains this phenomenon well.

 

Yes! I have read it a couple of times. It’s a good one.

 

@Ellen, I’m assuming you’re talking about core fears? For me, it all points to loss of control or abandonment. Steve Ozanich has said everything can be linked back to fear of abandonment, which control, of course, is connected to it.

 

Yes. I didn't explain it very well. Thanks for clarifying.