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great suggestions here thanks David. However, in regards to pain and anxiety pathways being permanent, there is clear evidence emerging from neuroscience that learnings (once consolidated on a neurological level) can be re-consolidated in a different manner at a later time, i.e an actual altering of the pathways and their synaptic connections, in order to eliminate symptoms. This does not tend to happen in the course of normal experience, but is evident in some psychotherapeutic encounters (not all). Some therapies (eg. EMDR, Coherence Therapy, EFT, some Gestalt techniques, etc) appear to be directly altering the neural pathways via setting up reconsolidation processes and experiences, and others at times appear to stumble across the same outcomes almost by fluke. Ecker, Ticic & Hulley have recently published a book (Unlocking the Emotional Brain- eliminating symptoms at their roots using memory reconsolidation- 2012). Apparently it summarises and presents the neuroscience evidence of the last decade in regards to reconsolidation, and demonstrates how difference therapies can achieve this. I've got it on order but it hasnt arrived as yet, but you can hear Ecker discussing these notions in a recent Shrink Rap Radio podcast (there is a link to this on my website: www.drjamesalexander-psychologist.com). I think if psychology can deliberately run with what the neuroscience is demonstrating, then we are on threshold of becoming a much more effective service to humanity- and of course, it is very promising for TMS sufferers.