Answer
Great question. TMS, the tricky thing, can manifest symptoms in a myriad of ways. I’ve seen clients with burning, itching, aching, poking, stabbing, tingling, numbness, pinching, tightness, stiffness, ringing, color changes in the skin, and the list goes on and on and on.
I often times have clients ask about the various types of symptoms that TMS can manifest, and generally the answer is always the same: TMS will manifest symptoms in any way that scares you. The purpose of the pain is to scare you, and if a generalized pain won’t scare you, then TMS will find new and creative ways to scare you.
So ask yourself honestly – are the symptoms you’re experiencing scaring you? Your concern that they might not be TMS is demonstrative to me that they’re doing a good job of freaking you out (at least a little bit). In the past you’ve been able to overcome your pain because you were nearly positive it was TMS and so there was no fear of the pain. These new pains, however, are different from previous pains and are appearing in new places solely so that you’ll be scared of them!
Your neurologist told you that all of the tests came back normal and that he/she doesn’t have a diagnosis that fits you. Great news! Tests are normal! Don’t latch onto the last comment that the doctor made, for it’s just your way of scaring you. Let’s repeat, the tests are normal – you’re in good health.
Further good news is that because you’ve had success treating pain with a TMS perspective in the past, if a new, unexplained pain arises in you, it is almost invariably TMS. This burning, pinching, tingling, and itching is most likely TMS as well.
Here’s the real key to eliminating not only these pains, but also other pains that have been coming up over the last two years: eliminate fear, but not only about the pain, but in other areas of your life. It’s a tall order, of course, but it can be done.
Push yourself to learn into your fears – prove to yourself that you’re stronger and more capable than you thought previously possible.
Any advice or information provided here does not and is not intended to be and should not be taken to constitute specific professional or psychological advice given to any group or individual. This general advice is provided with the guidance that any person who believes that they may be suffering from any medical, psychological, or mindbody condition should seek professional advice from a qualified, registered/licensed physician and/or psychotherapist who has the opportunity to meet with the patient, take a history, possibly examine the patient, review medical and/or mental health records, and provide specific advice and/or treatment based on their experience diagnosing and treating that condition or range of conditions. No general advice provided here should be taken to replace or in any way contradict advice provided by a qualified, registered/licensed physician and/or psychotherapist who has the opportunity to meet with the patient, take a history, possibly examine the patient, review medical and/or mental health records, and provide specific advice and/or treatment based on their experience diagnosing and treating that condition or range of conditions.
The general advice and information provided in this format is for informational purposes only and cannot serve as a way to screen for, identify, or diagnose depression, anxiety, or other psychological conditions. If you feel you may be suffering from any of these conditions please contact a licensed mental health practitioner for an in-person consultation.
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