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Feeling Confused and Discouraged - Looking for Feedback

A

AutumnIsMyFave

Peer Supporter
Hi Everyone. I'm on Day 5 of the SEP program and just finished reading the bit about PTSD and I guess I'm looking for clarification. In the PTSD description it states "While PTSD can cause physical symptoms such as chronic pain, this program may not be the best treatment for you. Treating PTSD requires being under the care of a medical or mental health professional who can tailor a treatment plan specifically for your situation. If your doctor approves of this program as one part of your treatment then please continue, but only under your doctor's supervision". I guess I find this statement incredibly discouraging. I grew up with a very abusive mother and never really considered myself to have PTSD until a few years ago when I started seeing a trauma specialist and realized that I do have a form of it. I have been on my road to recovery for a while now and have been seeing my therapist for the last 2.5 years. I have spoken to both my therapist and family doctor about Dr. Sarno's program. Reading Dr. Sarno's books made it clear to me that I have TMS (I have been checked out by multiple specialists and have had multiple tests done and they have found nothing wrong with me except a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia), and that I was of the small percentage of people who would require psychotherapy, which I have been doing. By reading this piece on PTSD I am now taking this to mean that all of this TMS work that I have been doing for the last 10 months may be for nothing because I require a different kind of treatment. What the heck? I can't help but be frustrated with this. I know this is a personal question, but is there anyone out there who grew up in an abusive home who has some form of PTSD as a result who has had success with the SEP program? I really, really, really hope so. I'd really appreciate anyone's thoughts on this, as right now I'm feeling a little defeated and confused when I had been feeling hopeful the last little while:(.
 
I forgot to mention above that my understanding from reading Dr. Sarno's books as well as Alan Gordon's work is that there are quite a few people who endured abuse as children who have had success with the TMS program. They just require psychotherapy as well. If anyone can clarify this for me, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
 
Hi Autumn,

For us TMSers who have learned as a child to dissociate from our feeling, our bodies are quick to manifest TMS symptoms. Those symptoms are the best indicator of how well a treatment program is working. If what you having doing and is doing is helping reduce/eliminate pain and other TMS symptoms, then it is working for you. It

From your writing it appears that you are making progress. So no need to feel defeated or confused.
 
Thanks so much for the feedback, Fred. The thing I'm turning over after reading the PTSD stuff is that I first read Sarno's book about 10 months ago but hadn't actively journaled or anything else. I've had small improvements, but still have a lot of pain so I've been feeling like something just hasn't clicked yet. After reading that this program may not be for me I'm wondering if I'm not on the right path and I need to start over and try something new (although I really don't know what else to try!). The TMS theory makes so much sense to me though, and in Sarno's books he talks about trauma survivors having success with his program, so now I'm just up in the air. Thanks again for your input!
 
I faced somewhat similar situation when I read Dr. Sarno's books. My dilemma was lack of concrete steps to recovery.

So I designed a rapid recovery plan combining Dr. Sarno's knowledge therapy with mental techniques used by Olympic athletes. It work quickly and effectively.

I went from barely being able to sit, walk or climb stairs to carrying my children and taking karate classes.

I wrote Rapid Recovery from Back and Neck Pain to explain the steps and how to apply them. You can find out more at fredamir.com.

What is most important at this stage of your recovery is to keep yourself positive and hopeful that you will recover completely and soon live pain-free.
 
AutumnIsMyFave said:
Hi Everyone. I'm on Day 5 of the SEP program and just finished reading the bit about PTSD and I guess I'm looking for clarification. In the PTSD description it states "While PTSD can cause physical symptoms such as chronic pain, this program may not be the best treatment for you. Treating PTSD requires being under the care of a medical or mental health professional who can tailor a treatment plan specifically for your situation. If your doctor approves of this program as one part of your treatment then please continue, but only under your doctor's supervision". I guess I find this statement incredibly discouraging. I grew up with a very abusive mother and never really considered myself to have PTSD until a few years ago when I started seeing a trauma specialist and realized that I do have a form of it. I have been on my road to recovery for a while now and have been seeing my therapist for the last 2.5 years. I have spoken to both my therapist and family doctor about Dr. Sarno's program. Reading Dr. Sarno's books made it clear to me that I have TMS (I have been checked out by multiple specialists and have had multiple tests done and they have found nothing wrong with me except a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia), and that I was of the small percentage of people who would require psychotherapy, which I have been doing. By reading this piece on PTSD I am now taking this to mean that all of this TMS work that I have been doing for the last 10 months may be for nothing because I require a different kind of treatment. What the heck? I can't help but be frustrated with this. I know this is a personal question, but is there anyone out there who grew up in an abusive home who has some form of PTSD as a result who has had success with the SEP program? I really, really, really hope so. I'd really appreciate anyone's thoughts on this, as right now I'm feeling a little defeated and confused when I had been feeling hopeful the last little while:(.
Click to expand...
Dearest AutumnIsMyFave,
I am brand new to recovery and I also have PTSD from childhood. My symptoms show up as Chronic Fatigue, some back pain and a bad Binge Eating Disorder. I too am searching for perhaps a softer approach around journaling especially. Yesterday as per Dr Sarno’s instructions I began my first essay on FEAR. That writing took me into a high anxiety crying spell for hours and I’m still feeling it today.
I sent my question to ‘Ask a Therapist’ and I will share with you whatever I find out. My writing today centered on realizing that I will write first about how loved I am by the Universe, or God and getting into a place where I am really feeling that love and loving that hurt needy child that was broken so young. From that place I can write about fear or low self-esteem, sorrow or whatever is needed and the difficult emotion can not consume me because
“I Am Here”. It becomes an essay that is just ‘put on the table’ to observe but doesn’t swallow me up.
Then I will finish the essay with feelings of love for myself. I will let you know how that goes and I will continue to search the site for other ideas.
Peace
 
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