Derek S. Weather and TMS

Boston Redsox

Boston Redsox

Well Known Member



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Question
Why does weather still such a strong trigger for me anytime its going to rain my tms ramps up to another level.

I still can't wrap my mind around this one.
 
Answer
This is a fascinating one. I have treated a few patients for whom weather was a primary trigger. There was one in particular who stated that he could be in a windowless basement and his symptoms would trigger when the weather shifted.

I believe that we can sense things, being the animals that we are. Kind of like other animals sense things but it happens on a subconscious level. Things like a change in barometric pressure can absolutely become a part of a conditioned response.

In other words, our brains can sense a shift in weather without us even being conscious of it and this can become the stimulus that triggers a physiological response.

-Derek

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.

Questions may be edited for brevity and/or readability.

 
Derek Sapico MFT said:
Answer
This is a fascinating one. I have treated a few patients for whom weather was a primary trigger. There was one in particular who stated that he could be in a windowless basement and his symptoms would trigger when the weather shifted.

I believe that we can sense things, being the animals that we are. Kind of like other animals sense things but it happens on a subconscious level. Things like a change in barometric pressure can absolutely become a part of a conditioned response.

In other words, our brains can sense a shift in weather without us even being conscious of it and this can become the stimulus that triggers a physiological response.

-Derek

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.

Questions may be edited for brevity and/or readability.

Click to expand...
Thx
 
My TMS symptoms flair up when the weather is unaccommodating, such as extreme heat or cold or rain, because it triggers feelings of helplessness and being out of control. We cannot control the weather, so no matter what we do, it's going to do what it wants. This causes rage because many TMS patients try to control as much as they can. If I leave the house without an umbrella or wearing inappropriate clothing, it awakens feelings of incompetence in me, which fuel pain. "Look what you've done now, Eric. You can't even prepare for the weather," is what goes on in my head. Self-recrimination, self-blame, lack of self-compassion, feeling out of control. They all scream TMS.
 
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