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Thread:
Fear is most powerful weapon of TMS, isn‘t it?
Hi Sebastian,

I'm happy that you have had such good success, and understand the power of "outcome independence."

Regarding your request for stories or help, I submit this:

Once a couple of years ago I was hiking up my mountain and my left foot hurt in the "same old place" of my debilitating foot pain (With the TMS I had not hike for 4 years, and had then recovered about 2 years). I could feel the pain, the fear of pain, and also the fear of failure about my overcoming my pain. I had had little pain in several years.

In that moment what helped me was this basic insight: "Of course I have TMS foot pain. I am prone to TMS. What else would I expect?" In other words, the pain became acceptable, and expected, rather than dangerous or a failure, or indeed anything at all to be worried about.

As I hiked, I repeated this phrase to myself: "Of course I am in pain; I am prone to TMS; this is normal for me." And the pain quickly disappeared. So in this way I found a personal way of practicing "outcome independence" which worked for me.

So I offer you this model for yourself, with whatever symptoms come up, to adapt and use as your own.

Andy B

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