Day 17 Fear attacks

Hi all - I thought of posting here my progress and also the challenges I've been facing lately to see if perhaps I can get some perspectives.

After the second week, I felt like I was on fire. Fully brainwashed (in a positive way) and confident about it all. A few things happened though and some of my symptoms came back. My fear response kicked in and I got a bit into a panic mode - saying to myself that I was trapped, that this may never go away, that I am defective, etc.. I know.. not useful.

I feel like I've been getting back to my centre by doing some grounding exercises, but I'm still feeling a bit fearful. I was in such a confident state. I am feeling fearful again that my symptoms may come back and I stopped doing certain activities that tend to make them arise.

Perhaps I push myself too early, too soon? Maybe I could be taking an incremental approach to come out of my comfort zone?

I will continue with the program and see how things go. Any type of advice would be welcomed.

Thanks,

Felipe

 

I think a common mistake most of us make early on is that once we feel significant improvement we think to ourselves "I made it. I'm done now." But TMS recovery is about a new way of thinking and being that takes daily commitment, monitoring and practice. We are never done. There is no finish line. You are doing a good job of monitoring your thinking and realizing you are in a fear state. Keep addressing your thinking and emotional state without overreacting and your symptoms will lessen again. You are on the path to recovery and it is never a straight line.

 

Felipe,

I’m there with you. I want to feel better so badly. I want this to go quicker! I still even wish it never happened. I am noticing that the healed ones on this forum all have a sense of calm and they are like advanced souls. They have learned on the journey. I guess that’s where we are right now—like it or not—on the learning part.

 

@PhillipAndr,

Check this out! Directly speaks to our feelings today. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cure-for-chronic-pain-with-nicole-sachs-lcsw/id1439580309?i=1000645556628 (‎The Cure for Chronic Pain with Nicole Sachs, LCSW: Severe Nerve Pain & the Role of Safety and Mindset in Healing on Apple Podcasts)

 

@JanAtheCPA,
You always mention her podcasts, so that’s how I stumbled across that one today. And it was perfect!

 

Hi all - thanks for your messages. They are really useful. Yes, I think I went on the path of oh great it's all in my head now I'm free. Then the universe threw me a massive challenge to tell me that it's not as easy as I thought! I'll start doing ice-baths to see if that helps retrain the fear-pain response that I get.

Thanks so much again!!

 

I think the key to remember when this happens is that it’s all just another opportunity to practice the skills, so that when needed, you remember what to do!

 

Thanks - I just set myself a manual of things to do whenever this happens, if it happens again