Day 16 Telling people about TMS

[Urbanjourney]

I began explaining to people close to me at first about my new diagnosis. I felt a little bit of hesitation at first as thought they would think i'm crazy to think this and that I should get back onto my usual physio program.
After telling my Dad, I could sense a little bit of trepidation in his voice but I just kept telling him the details and providing my evidence. I think he's come around to the idea on the surface but because he's seen me in such pain this year, I can tell he has some concerns that it's a bit of a different approach...that's ok, without diving into all the materials that i have on hand, i can only forgive him as he's only reacting with his current, accepted knowledge.

I also began telling the people i previously worked with who I still see and just calmly explained to them the theory and what i'm doing - most of them were genuinely interested , understanding and accepting that the traditional treatments for chronic pain were just not working and some were just making light of it and didn't want to absorb what I was saying. Again, that's ok as I'm asking the to flip their current understanding on it's head.

I had to go to my doctor today, as I'd been taking pregabalin and wanted to phase off of it as part of this program. He was probably the most supportive (aside from my wife) which surprised me but we ended up having a deep conversation around it. He was genuinely happy for me to be exploring this powerful path.

The more I learn about neuroplastic syndromes, the more I've felt comfortable and confident explaining to anyone asking about my condition....I see it as a way to offer up new information to those who are not aware of it and you never know when you're going to cross paths with someone whose life could be profoundly changed by this.

 

[BloodMoon]

@Urbanjourney In an ideal world, it would be great to have as many people on board as possible. Having that collective understanding and feeling that you're part of a movement can be really positive and supportive of your recovery. However, old ways of thinking can be hard to shift because they're often deeply ingrained.

Personally, I'd leave it there for now and keep building your recovery with the support of your wife and GP – which is fantastic.

I say this because, even if you understand and can rationalise other people's scepticism, lack of interest or concern, it can still have an underlying effect on you, sometimes without you even realising it.

Obviously, if your Dad (or anyone else for that matter) wants to know more about mind-body/TMS, then share more information and show them the materials. But I'd encourage you to mentally protect yourself from any potential pushback. (I usually visualise a clear screen between myself and the other person, with their scepticism and negativity remaining on the other side. Visualisation can be such a powerful tool.)

Sometimes, ironically, the people who perhaps need to hear about this approach the most can be the most resistant to it. I remember forum member Baseball65 writing about how angry he felt towards his neighbour, who suggested he read Dr Sarno's book, Healing Back Pain, when Baseball was suffering badly with lower back pain. He wasn't at all receptive to the suggestion at the time and, I believe, wasn't very pleasant towards his neighbour. However, that conversation did plant a seed, which clearly stayed with him, as he eventually read Healing Back Pain, took on board the advice and ultimately made a full recovery.

I proffer that there's plenty of time to champion this approach and help others understand it further down the line. Right now, though, your priority is your own recovery. IMO you don't need the additional emotional burden of another potential 'battle' along the way.

 

[Sita]

...(I usually visualise a clear screen between myself and the other person, with their scepticism and negativity remaining on the other side. Visualisation can be such a powerful tool.)

...I remember forum member Baseball65 writing about how angry he felt towards his neighbour, who suggested he read Dr Sarno's book, Healing Back Pain, when Baseball was suffering badly with lower back pain. He wasn't at all receptive to the suggestion at the time and, I believe, wasn't very pleasant towards his neighbour. However, that conversation did plant a seed, which clearly stayed with him, as he eventually read Healing Back Pain, took on board the advice and ultimately made a full recovery.

I proffer that there's plenty of time to champion this approach and help others understand it further down the line. Right now, though, your priority is your own recovery. IMO you don't need the additional emotional burden of another potential 'battle' along the way.

Good point, using visualization in this case, very good point.

I remember Baseball65's comment here on this forum, and his story.

It's true, we feel that we have an obligation, a moral obligation to share the knowledge about Dr. Sarno and his books and theories but usually...most people are not ready to hear it. Not yet.