the power of fear and anxiety

Things are looking good! Even though I'm in the middle of a pain flare. My forearm (diagnosed tendonosis and RSI) was 99% pain free for the last 3-4 days... Earlier last week I had a another pain flare after taking a yoga twerking class. 100% fine during this class (the class was really fun). As...

Originally written by Dr. Schubiner on July 21, 2009 The last two blogs have dealt with the issue of fear and how fear can often derail the recovery process from TMS/MBS.I thought it would be helpful to read the story of a brave woman who is confronting her fears head on.Here is Lori’s story...

Originally written by Dr. Schubiner on June 4, 2009 It has become very clear to me over the last year or so that one of the biggest impediments to recovery from Mind Body syndrome (MBS) is fear.It seems to be a part of the experience of so many people that it should be considered as a normal...

I have been a very active and athletic person my whole life. I was a professional jockey for 9 years and rode at many well known racetracks. After that career I took up marathon running then ultra running. I've finished 4 Boston Marathons, three 50 mile endurance races and one 100 miler. I've...

In Dr. Sarno's book Healing backpain he writes that lots of people 'cure' themselves simply by understanding that the cause of there physical pain is psychological. One moment they're in pain, the next it's gone, often forever. Why does this work for some people while others have to work on it...

Originally Written by Dr. Schubiner on February 12, 2009 Naming an illness can be one of the most critical aspects of caring for someone, especially if the illness falls into the category of stress-related illnesses.It is a universal truth that anyone with medical symptoms wants and in fact...

I started reading 'Healing Back Pain' on Sunday and it's been very enlightening, but I gather it's going to be a long road. I've been having a number of chronic symptoms over the last 20-24 months. Upset stomach, nausea, permanent neck pains, lower back pains, shoulder pains, and recently...

Hi, Thank you for your time. Having suffered from severe lower back pain for past 3 years, which I know is TMS, I cannot overcome conditioning. I cannot stand up from seated position without a struggle and without the full support of my arms - I know this is conditioning...my subconscious and...

This is a question about IBS and TMS. As background, I've suffered from TMS back pain and anxiety which was helped with self-help techniques and therapy. I don't like to say cured because I still have episodes but I know it's TMS so they usually go away pretty quickly. In the last few years...

Hi everyone, I had received some email requests for further information regarding my existential therapy approach to - and interpretation of - PPD/TMS pain. As a result, I decided to dedicate this week's podcast to explaining the role of existential anxiety in the development of PPD/TMS...

Hi Everyone, This week's podcast is devoted to the topic of our resilience and strength in the midst of adversity. I really hope you take a listen to the podcast - especially the first 15 minutes -where I discuss this topic...

I asked Alan Gordon, LCSW the following question:

10 Days of Silence: Meditation, Pain, & How You Can Become the Most Emotionally Healthy Person You Know Part 2: The How & Where In part one I discussed the ideas of impermanence, craving and aversion, and how these can create suffering. Now let’s talk about how those ideas translate into...

10 Days of Silence: Meditation, Pain, & How You Can Become the Most Emotionally Healthy Person You Know Part 1: The What and Why Over the Christmas holiday, I spent 10 days sitting in a darkened room in complete silence as I practiced meditating for 11 hours a day. No, I’m not crazy. Well...

I just woke up in the middle of the night with a nasty flare-up. Along came all the familiar thoughts of fear and hopelessness. It was as if the bully in my head were ridiculing me for even trying to get better, for having the audacity to believe for a moment that I could ever break it's hold...

Hello, I am going through Hell. I am 44 years old and I am living like an old man waiting to die. I am obsessed with the idea that various things I like to eat are going to harm me, although my diet is probably healthier than it has ever been. I do have chronic pain, especially in a shoulder...

I just found out that I am pregnant and quite upset because I am just working on my TMS symptoms. I do have fears on how my life will change and especially the hardships I will face due to this new chapter in my life. It's just that I have this thought that are those pregnancy symptoms- nausea...

Severe Burning, I give up..Pain (you name it, I've had it all) for 5 years, known and accepted TMS for 4 years. Yes, I've had great success overcoming back pain but the severe burning will not stop and is getting worse every day. Now I'm at my breaking point because even a simple thing as...

I’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and the way it mainly manifests in me is pain, fatigue and a kind of malaise some time after activity, especially walking. I don’t mean walking on a treadmill or for the purpose of exercise; I mean just any ordinary walking around in the course of living...

Hi! I've listened and read many stories and advice about taking the fear out of the equation to begin healing from TMS? I realize this will vary from person to person, but I would love to hear how long it took for YOUR pain to heal once you decided to stop fearing?? I know fear plays a huge...