Greetings all, new to site...!
Long term survivor of TMS and maybe I can spread some of my experiences and help and get some along the way.
Rob wrote:
As stated when doing exercise my TMS is non existent, but… before soccer and rugby matches I get soooo nervous I make myself sick. I have to go to the toilet for the 2 hours leading up to it and it is really effecting my game!
I used to have stuff like this happen and actually, still do at times. After switching to, or doing my "right" thinking and then still might have trouble/pain, I would ask myself..., Why am I getting so nervous, or what am I thinking (or better yet reacting to, or from) that causes me all this anxiety? Is it because people will laugh at me, or think less of me if I fail, or choke or make a mistake? Why do I need to be so perfect or put so much pressure on myself when I am doing this job or playing this sport!?
When I started to look at these questions a bit deeper, I started to uncover some of my insecurities and where they started, or how I had to please people or myself to feel great, when all along I was already a pretty good person. I just started to switch my thinking when I got scared and IMO it slowly makes new synapses in your brain or new options to think. I was then able to recognize when I was putting this dumb pressure on myself, switch my thinking over to [just go out and have fun] and would become aware. I then just went out and did my best, or played to have fun. If I made a mistake or messed up!?!?, I would just understand I am human, just like the millions of great people who have made mistakes, ie: doctors, inventors, athletes et al) all have done. To put it simpler, I think I just kinda got a I don't give a crap attitude and it got easier.
Remember to treat the person you see in the mirror every morning with the greatest amount of respect and love and always forgive yourself and accept you are human.