Recent content by Ellen

I know your question is for Adam, and he will have a great answer for you. I just thought I'd chime in. Our personality traits are certainly a factor in why we get TMS. However, we just need to be aware (mindful) of this. We don't have to try to change who we are. Just be mindful that traits...

I like this idea and practice. It's similar to something else I heard this week: Activity displaces anxiety. When we're feeling anxious, we should get up and do something.

Welcome to the Forum! I think a good place to start if you're not sure if you have TMS or not, is with Dr. Howard Schubiner's FIT criteria. Check it out and share your results with us. https://www.themindbodyapproach.com/_files/ugd/bd131c_e66345ae74d6423f8a1c86a8a7774f3a.pdf

What I found is that changes in barometric pressure can be felt in the body. However, those changes are not enough to trigger a migraine (my symptom). I suppose this is true for other symptoms as well. An explanation for the association between changes in barometric pressure and TMS symptoms is...

You don't mention what you're doing to work on your TMS other than watching some videos. Aside from reading some books on TMS, the most valuable thing you can do is to start a structured daily TMS program. We have some for free here on the Forum and there are others as well. Give us more...

Understandable. But you can work on strengthening your belief that your symptoms are TMS. I think an evidence list is the best way to do this. Write down all the ways your symptoms do not conform to a physical/medical explanation. Try to use logic and rationality to overcome the fear that...

I think you're doing great! I have only one suggestion. I think your phrases like "increase oxygen to my hips, etc or release my low back" will not serve you well. They are examples of "thinking physically" instead of "psychologically". They reinforce that there is something physically wrong...

This is hard and why we call it "the work". You've repressed those emotions because you didn't want to feel them. I find one of the ways to take the sting out of feeling my emotions is to label them. "Ah, that's sadness. Now I'm feeling anger. Oh, this one is shame" etc. I think this helps me to...

It's old but the 20/20 segment that John Stossel did on Dr. Sarno is very good. It may appeal to an 84 year old.

Your friends have given you a nocebo. Our backs can handle making the bed just fine. Millions of people do it daily. Our brains are filled with nonsense. We have to challenge these thoughts.

If I'm sure what I'm experiencing is TMS, then I directly challenge it. While telling myself that the pain is a faulty signal and nothing is wrong with my body, I move into the painful movement and repeat it as much as I can. Usually it gets easier and eventually goes away. It's counterintuitive...

Sure, I think forgiveness is part of TMS recovery. But I refer to it as "letting stuff go". Letting go of all grievances and victimhood, whether it is related to the actions of another person or something else.

I've recovered after 20 years of a diagnosis that altered between chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia by treating it as TMS. You can read my Success Story by clicking on My Story on my profile page. I outline everything I did. Recovery is possible.

I also experience it as mixed and intertwined. There is no way to separate MindBody completely in my opinion. It's individualized and changes over time. It is one system. It is like the Yin Yang symbol. I think the answer is to keep an open mind and delve into each incidence of symptoms with...

What a great success story! It will inspire so many people. Thank you for taking the time to write it all out. It matters.