Hello everyone,
A few years ago, I opened a topic here regarding back pain and received tremendous help. In the meantime, I can say that I am free from my back pain (see topic: "Advice sought from TMS experts... complex problem: back pain/scoliosis").
The back pain has disappeared, but the scoliosis is, of course, still present. I live and move healthier than ever: I do strength training three times a week and pay close attention to my diet, ensuring I get enough protein. Yet, there is one thing that hasn't disappeared: my self-image.
If someone looks closely at me, they can see the asymmetry of my body, and that remains something I struggle with. Over the years, I have constantly been preoccupied with how I stand and walk. Currently, I am trying to "lengthen" my legs, as it were, allowing my upper body to rest in a relaxed position without holding tension, and letting my shoulders droop. That way, I stand more symmetrically. But in my head, I am still very much preoccupied with it.
After my recovery, I developed two other complaints.
The first is neck pain. It started suddenly with a stiff neck and dragged on for weeks. By now, that is already much better. If I still have it now, the stiff neck usually disappears after a few days, but a tense or stiff feeling remains in the neck muscles. When I turn my head, I still feel that tension, but there is no real pain anymore.
My second problem worries me more: speech confusion. I naturally hope that this is nothing neurological. I regularly use the wrong word when I actually mean something else. That comes in periods. When I suffer from it, it can easily happen ten times a day.
Some examples:
mixing up my children's names;
saying: "Get your towel ready" when I mean: "Hang your towel up";
saying: "Rub yourself off" when I actually mean "Dry yourself off".
The striking thing is that I always notice it immediately myself. I instantly realize that I have used the wrong word and can immediately say the right word. Yet I worry about it. Surely I can't constantly think about what I'm going to say? Speaking happens spontaneously and automatically.
From the perspective of TMS thinking, I wonder if this might have to do with the amount of mental distraction in my life. I notice that I am often busy worrying, with my mobile phone, social media, fantasizing, daydreaming, and all kinds of thoughts constantly running through my head.
That is why I wonder if it would be a good idea to impose a month on myself in which I only check my emails and messages and drop social media completely. Perhaps that would benefit my focus and peace of mind.
But then I ask myself another question: if I am not worrying, fantasizing, or constantly distracted, what am I actually thinking about? Don't we all think about something all day long?
I am curious to hear your perspective on this. Does anyone recognize this? Do you think this might be related to stress, attention issues, overload, or TMS? Or do you see other possible explanations?
All insights, experiences, or tips are welcome.
Thanks in advance!
A few years ago, I opened a topic here regarding back pain and received tremendous help. In the meantime, I can say that I am free from my back pain (see topic: "Advice sought from TMS experts... complex problem: back pain/scoliosis").
The back pain has disappeared, but the scoliosis is, of course, still present. I live and move healthier than ever: I do strength training three times a week and pay close attention to my diet, ensuring I get enough protein. Yet, there is one thing that hasn't disappeared: my self-image.
If someone looks closely at me, they can see the asymmetry of my body, and that remains something I struggle with. Over the years, I have constantly been preoccupied with how I stand and walk. Currently, I am trying to "lengthen" my legs, as it were, allowing my upper body to rest in a relaxed position without holding tension, and letting my shoulders droop. That way, I stand more symmetrically. But in my head, I am still very much preoccupied with it.
After my recovery, I developed two other complaints.
The first is neck pain. It started suddenly with a stiff neck and dragged on for weeks. By now, that is already much better. If I still have it now, the stiff neck usually disappears after a few days, but a tense or stiff feeling remains in the neck muscles. When I turn my head, I still feel that tension, but there is no real pain anymore.
My second problem worries me more: speech confusion. I naturally hope that this is nothing neurological. I regularly use the wrong word when I actually mean something else. That comes in periods. When I suffer from it, it can easily happen ten times a day.
Some examples:
mixing up my children's names;
saying: "Get your towel ready" when I mean: "Hang your towel up";
saying: "Rub yourself off" when I actually mean "Dry yourself off".
The striking thing is that I always notice it immediately myself. I instantly realize that I have used the wrong word and can immediately say the right word. Yet I worry about it. Surely I can't constantly think about what I'm going to say? Speaking happens spontaneously and automatically.
From the perspective of TMS thinking, I wonder if this might have to do with the amount of mental distraction in my life. I notice that I am often busy worrying, with my mobile phone, social media, fantasizing, daydreaming, and all kinds of thoughts constantly running through my head.
That is why I wonder if it would be a good idea to impose a month on myself in which I only check my emails and messages and drop social media completely. Perhaps that would benefit my focus and peace of mind.
But then I ask myself another question: if I am not worrying, fantasizing, or constantly distracted, what am I actually thinking about? Don't we all think about something all day long?
I am curious to hear your perspective on this. Does anyone recognize this? Do you think this might be related to stress, attention issues, overload, or TMS? Or do you see other possible explanations?
All insights, experiences, or tips are welcome.
Thanks in advance!
