Week 0 Welcome to the Subforum for the Structured Educational Program

[JanAtheCPA]

I have just started out on this journey and could use all the help and support that I can get from you other fine people who are at various stages of your journeys. My pain is not physical, but emotional. My stomach is almost continually nauseated and there is no physical reason (according to all the tests) why this should be so. I am a 71 year old man and am in very good physical condition…for my age. If someone could please direct me to the appropriate section of this forum, l would be very thankful. Good luck to all and thanks for your help.

Welcome to the forum, @Mrpine. I am also 71, but I discovered Dr. Sarno and this work in 2011. I got my life back thanks to the good doctor, along with other resources like the SEP, and especially Claire Weekes for anxiety. Feel free to read my profile story from back then, with my list of resources. I've been hanging out here ever since, because I love being a part of this community where other people are getting their lives back.

You might relate to my experiences and observations. For one thing, I feel that managing TMS has been more difficult the last few years which I think is a combination of world dysfunction even before 2020, then COVID, and now ever-worsening environmental and social problems - such that it's widely acknowledged that the world is in a mental health crisis. It's even more important for me personally to acknowledge that the reality of aging also plays a part, which was named as a source of rage by one of the other authors in Sarno's last book, The Divided Mind (that was my light bulb moment). I mention this to you because we are the same age, and it's something we simply can't avoid thinking about once we are past the middle point of our lives. It's also prime material for repression.

My stomach is almost continually nauseated and there is no physical reason (according to all the tests) why this should be so.

Always good news when they can't find anything wrong! You undoutedly know that our guts are often the first place we experience stress, whether it's outside stressors, or the stress of repressed emotions. I defintely had alarming gut issues in 2011 - I was losing weight rapidly, and I had eliminated so many suspected problem foods from my diet that I was living on the "white diet" when I discovered TMS. This was in addition to other TMS symptoms, especially dizziness. The quickest symptoms I resolved were various pain ones, followed by the digestive issues. The dizziness is the symptom that returns with setbacks, and heartburn has been a stress-related issue for years, but I use relaxation/breathing techniques for both these days.

I've maintained an active lifestyle throughout the years, and sought out additional exercise programs since before age 60, which imho is essential to health, along with a decent diet, so you've got a head-start by being fit, because you can feel good about that. I achieved a high level of TMS recovery in 2011 and early 2012 thanks to this work, and maintained it pretty well for a long time, although it got tougher starting in about 2016 due to the ramping up of world dysfunction. Then in the spring of 2020 I developed sudden-onset RA, brought on by stress (my opinion). It's well-maintained on a low dose of the most basic standard medication, helped by exercise and trying to de-stress (not easy for a serial goodist). So I would say I've achieved a level of recovery which in spite of everything I'm still able to maintain at well over 80% about 80% of the time, which is still phenomenal compared to eleven years ago when I was rapidly on my way to becoming housebound.

The RA complicates things, especially as I feel I could achieve remission with a serious commitment to mindfulness (and I'm working on not beating myself up for that). RA has to be taken seriously as a medical condition requiring intervention even if it was induced by stress. Ironically, the traditional medical community states emphatically that stress makes RA and other autoimmune conditions worse, but they are completely unwilling to state that stress can cause AI conditions. Go figure.

This is probably all TMI, but I guess what I wanted to get across is that you are definitely in the right place, but also that this work is not necessarily going to be a linear path to complete recovery. There are a lot of moving parts, and the path is different for everyone. Take it all in, try out different things, and stick with the ones that really resonate for you.

It is vital to do the work with a serious commitment to self-honesty, because your brain will try to trick you into not being honest, to edit what you write, to move through a resource or an exercise too quickly, or to skip over stuff that it doesn't want you to examine. Do not be fooled!

At some point your brain is also likely to come up with new and/or increased symptoms in order to make you think that this work is harmful and that you need to stop. Of course, if you can stop, breathe, and think logically, you'll realize that just reading and writing can't possibly be damaging you physically. We always view new or worsening symptoms as good news - because it means you're on the right track. Feel free to report on them (and rejoice) if they happen - although forewarned is forearmed, so who knows? Everyone's experience is different!

Good luck!

~Jan

 

[Mrpine]

Welcome to the forum, @Mrpine. I am also 71, but I discovered Dr. Sarno and this work in 2011. I got my life back thanks to the good doctor, along with other resources like the SEP, and especially Claire Weekes for anxiety. Feel free to read my profile story from back then, with my list of resources. I've been hanging out here ever since, because I love being a part of this community where other people are getting their lives back.

You might relate to my experiences and observations. For one thing, I feel that managing TMS has been more difficult the last few years which I think is a combination of world dysfunction even before 2020, then COVID, and now ever-worsening environmental and social problems - such that it's widely acknowledged that the world is in a mental health crisis. It's even more important for me personally to acknowledge that the reality of aging also plays a part, which was named as a source of rage by one of the other authors in Sarno's last book, The Divided Mind (that was my light bulb moment). I mention this to you because we are the same age, and it's something we simply can't avoid thinking about once we are past the middle point of our lives. It's also prime material for repression.


Always good news when they can't find anything wrong! You undoutedly know that our guts are often the first place we experience stress, whether it's outside stressors, or the stress of repressed emotions. I defintely had alarming gut issues in 2011 - I was losing weight rapidly, and I had eliminated so many suspected problem foods from my diet that I was living on the "white diet" when I discovered TMS. This was in addition to other TMS symptoms, especially dizziness. The quickest symptoms I resolved were various pain ones, followed by the digestive issues. The dizziness is the symptom that returns with setbacks, and heartburn has been a stress-related issue for years, but I use relaxation/breathing techniques for both these days.

I've maintained an active lifestyle throughout the years, and sought out additional exercise programs since before age 60, which imho is essential to health, along with a decent diet, so you've got a head-start by being fit, because you can feel good about that. I achieved a high level of TMS recovery in 2011 and early 2012 thanks to this work, and maintained it pretty well for a long time, although it got tougher starting in about 2016 due to the ramping up of world dysfunction. Then in the spring of 2020 I developed sudden-onset RA, brought on by stress (my opinion). It's well-maintained on a low dose of the most basic standard medication, helped by exercise and trying to de-stress (not easy for a serial goodist). So I would say I've achieved a level of recovery which in spite of everything I'm still able to maintain at well over 80% about 80% of the time, which is still phenomenal compared to eleven years ago when I was rapidly on my way to becoming housebound.

The RA complicates things, especially as I feel I could achieve remission with a serious commitment to mindfulness (and I'm working on not beating myself up for that). RA has to be taken seriously as a medical condition requiring intervention even if it was induced by stress. Ironically, the traditional medical community states emphatically that stress makes RA and other autoimmune conditions worse, but they are completely unwilling to state that stress can cause AI conditions. Go figure.

This is probably all TMI, but I guess what I wanted to get across is that you are definitely in the right place, but also that this work is not necessarily going to be a linear path to complete recovery. There are a lot of moving parts, and the path is different for everyone. Take it all in, try out different things, and stick with the ones that really resonate for you.

It is vital to do the work with a serious commitment to self-honesty, because your brain will try to trick you into not being honest, to edit what you write, to move through a resource or an exercise too quickly, or to skip over stuff that it doesn't want you to examine. Do not be fooled!

At some point your brain is also likely to come up with new and/or increased symptoms in order to make you think that this work is harmful and that you need to stop. Of course, if you can stop, breathe, and think logically, you'll realize that just reading and writing can't possibly be damaging you physically. We always view new or worsening symptoms as good news - because it means you're on the right track. Feel free to report on them (and rejoice) if they happen - although forewarned is forearmed, so who knows? Everyone's experience is different!

Good luck!

~Jan

Thank you, Jan, for the welcome and the excellent suggestions as to how to progress. I’m in it for the long haul as my family needs their father and grandpa and my wife needs her husband at or near full strength.
I will post occasionally and will beat this awful feeling as l get more familiar with the program and thought pattern change necessary to succeed.
Stay well and I’ll stay in touch.
Mrpine

 

[Geri D]

This is the discussion forum for the Structured Educational Program Forum at the TMS Wiki

During this free six week program, you'll be encouraged on certain days to create a post on the forum. This isn't a requirement by any means, but it is a great way to receive support and encouragement, and to meet others who are on the same path as you learn more about yourself. Post only what you feel comfortable writing about!

Each day of the program has a special prefix that corresponds to it. When you start a new thread, find the prefix that corresponds to the day you are on and create your post. You can also comment on or respond to existing threads.

The Structured Program is a great way to learn about TMS and incorporate a daily activity that will assist you in your healing. The SEP has links to articles and other resources about TMS. Although it's designed as a six-week program, you certainly don't need to work on it every single day. Go at your own pace, but keep in mind that while learning about TMS, it helps to submerge yourself in the information. Knowledge is power and repetition makes it stick.

JanAtheCPA
On behalf of the forum moderation team

Hi, I'm on Day 8 of the Structured Educational Program. On most days, it's suggested that we post a response to what we've read or written. I'm not quite sure how or where to do that. Is this the correct place? Thanks (I'm not very technologically inclined :-0 )

 

[JanAtheCPA]

Hi @Geri D,

If you go to the main page for this subforum you'll see that most people create a new thread for themselves, often for a single day. This is all completely voluntary, as many people never write publicly. Posting while I did the SEP is how I got started here. Anyway, you can do that, or you could start one new thread just for your SEP posts and keep adding to it with individual posts (you can find it each time by going to your Profile page and clicking on the tab for your postings.)

There are no rules or even clear guidelines, which makes a forum like this feel kinda like the Wild West for TMSers who like things to be under control. This is good for our fearful brains, as we learn to accept that we can't control everything (sometimes nothing) yet we can still survive just fine

Jump on in and go for it!

 

[Mrpine]

In the program, we are asked to contribute what we are proud of so far in the program. I am very proud of myself for the journaling that l have done. I have expressed thoughts that l never thought that l would or even knew that l had. I have spoken to people while journaling who l perceived had “done me wrong” only to determine through the help of the program that all people do the best that they can at any time in their history with the information and/or life experiences that they possess at the time. This concept never occurred to me but now l endeavour to treat these people and others with a different point of view and with way more compassion than l was willing to give them in the past. I hope that this makes sense and l will work on getting even better in this regard. I am quite sure that l can’t completely change who l am, but with a more self conscious awareness, l will continue to treat others with a far more open kindness and compassion than l have in my past.

 

[Jak]

This is the discussion forum for the Structured Educational Program Forum at the TMS Wiki. The SEP is a great way to learn about TMS and incorporate a daily activity that will assist you in your healing. The SEP has links to articles and other resources about TMS along with different types of writing (aka journaling) exercises.

During this free six week program, there will be suggestions on certain days to create a post on the forum. This isn't a requirement by any means, but it is a great way to receive support and encouragement, and to meet others who are on the same path as you learn more about yourself. Post only what you feel comfortable writing about.

There are different ways to post your SEP experience. Each day of the program has a special prefix that corresponds to it. When you start a new thread, find the prefix that corresponds to the day you are on and create your post. You can also comment on or respond to existing threads. Alternatively, you can create a thread just for your SEP journey, and continue to add to it (you can find your own posts and threads by going to your profile page).

Although it's designed as a six-week program, you certainly don't need to work on it every single day. Go at your own pace, but keep in mind that while learning about TMS, it helps to submerge yourself in the information. Knowledge is power and repetition makes it stick.

Keys to Success: Don't rush through it! Progress will only result if you take the time to let the information sink in, and make a commitment to do the exercises with emotional openness and 100% self-honesty. You may have to fight your subconscious brain in order to accomplish these two things, because it will try to have you skim through the program, and edit what you write down during the exercises. If you find yourself thinking that you don't need to include something because it's "not important" or any other reason, force yourself to write it down anyway, then be sure to examine that thing more closely. You don't need to keep what you write down, by the way - sometimes knowing that you can immediately destroy your writing helps you to be more honest.

What to Watch Out For: As you work the SEP, your brain will not be happy, because it would rather have you stay in a familiar fearful state - so it might start to fight back. Worsening symptoms and new symptoms are very common experiences as people start seriously doing this work. Just know that this is a sign that you're getting somewhere and that it is a reason to rejoice - so keep the faith, and don't give up.

Good luck!

JanAtheCPA
On behalf of the forum moderation team

_______________________

This is seriously really confusing. I am going through this information plus a few of Sarno's books and audiobooks. I keep 3 different tabs open on my ipad and working like it's my job. There is another structured program in there as well 'Reader's Guide To the Alan Gordon TMS Recovery Program' as well with Day A - Day R. Would you use SEP instead? There is so much information but it's really hard to follow. I don't want to miss anything! I'm working through it like my life depends on it because it really kinda does. Would you drop the 'Reader's Guide..." and do SEC instead? I'm so confused that I'm thinking of just ordering Dr David Schechters MindBody Workbook because everything is in 1 place. The very clear downside is the forums, the community, talking to other people who are further along in their journey. My husband is coming home from work with people who are interested. I have no grasp at all of how to work through ALL of this, although my pain has gone from an 8 on meds to a 2 while tapering and NO pain while jogging of all things. I'm jogging 13 days into the day I found this!! My mind is blown but it's so hard to work through this in an orderly fashion, I'm not sure what to do. I'll check out the SEC and the MBS workbook I guess. I'm still standing in front of a fire hydrant but I feel great!!

 

[JanAtheCPA]

OMG, @Jak, I'm exhausted just reading your post!

Do NOT fall into the trap of taking on too much. Doing this is actually a trick produced by your fearful brain, and, as evidenced by your state of confusion, it's a wonderful TMS capital D Distraction!

Or, as I like to say, THIS is your brain on TMS!

The very best advice I can give you in this moment is to stop, breathe, and take a caring and compassionate look at yourself. You might be able to realize that your poor freaked-out brain is in a panic because you're starting to reject the symptoms that have previously kept you in fear. And so now it's trying to induce panic in you!

Please believe me when I say that there is NOTHING so urgent about this work.

Mind you, I am very excited for the success you're already experiencing, and I also really love the fire hydrant metaphor! And I get it - this is a lot of information, and to be honest, there's a lot more available out there in the wider world than when I did the work in 2011.

That being said, I've never understood this:

plus a few of Sarno's books and audiobooks.

and I guess it just goes to show the big differences between individuals. I read just one book by Dr Sarno, and it happened to be his last book, so I saw no reason to read the earlier ones. Apart from the 20/20 TV segment I never read, watched or listened to him again. I thought he did a brilliant job distilling his main theory in The Divided Mind. I found this forum, worked the SEP, and found other books which were not about TMS as such, but were instead complimentary to TMS theory: specifically controlling anxiety, followed by exploration of the much bigger picture of the mindbody connection from a lifelong perspective of physical and mental health and self-healing.

Right now, you need to slow down and for goodness' sake, keep it simple. The purpose of the SEP is to introduce you to ideas from sources other than Dr Sarno, and, most importantly, to introduce you to a choice of skills and techniques that you will want to incorporate into your emotional self-care for the rest of your life.

The SEP is not perfect, partly because it's never been updated. Accepting imperfection is good practice for the TMS personality.

My advice for doing the SEP is to limit the lessons to one per day. Seriously, your brain will try to convince you that more is better and that faster means quicker recovery. Your brain is trying to protect you by telling you falsehoods. You must gently reject it.

Fill the rest of your time with mindfulness, exercise, and self care. Live your life. If you have anxiety (don't we all?) read Claire Weekes - not more Sarno. I have no problem stating that Dr Sarno saved my life in 2011, but honestly, his theories only go so far, and certain aspects are a little outdated. Once you get the main idea about emotional repression and distraction, it's time to just do the work.

This is a great time to learn about the value of therapeutic breathing and think about making a commitment to an ongoing mindfulness practice.

My profile story has a list of other resources I've valued over time. I didn't do Alan's program because he donated it to the Forum several years after I did the work. However, I have listed two live audio programs that he did for the Forum back in, I think 2012. These two webinars were fantastic and very influential for me. I do think Alan is quite brilliant, and his latest book on pain reprocessing therapy is undoubtedly excellent.

So that's a little bit of tough love, from me to you. I hope it's helpful!

~Jan

 

[Jak]

“OMG, @Jak, I'm exhausted just reading your post!

Do NOT fall into the trap of taking on too much. Doing this is actually a trick produced by your fearful brain, and, as evidenced by your state of confusion, it's a wonderful TMS capital D Distraction!”
_____________________________________

How in heaven’s name can I respond to just one sentence without all the rigmarole I just went through? Or do people just stare really hard at the sentence and it magically appears in the reply section?

Here’s the thing: I couldn’t believe it. I needed more reassurance. I haven’t actually even completed 1 whole book except The Way Out. I’m actually still sitting like a rat by the pellet machine waiting for that burst of extinction pain. There’s a strange part of me that wants to Test it! I’m a glutton. We (husband and I) have allowed ourselves to be harmed instead of seeing others harmed. Our motto has always been if we were hurt, used, taken advantage of “Just pour grace over it”. It served well in small things. We didn’t shy away from getting dirty in life in our community and church but there was often real hurt. It wasn’t hard to just pour grace over things. Probably a similar trait in all of us, but I would rather get hurt that watch someone else get hurt if I could have helped. How I got to Chronic Pain was no small hurts. It was 4 years of pummeling and pounding and loss on every side. I’m not sure I even want to look at any of it again and I’m not sure if any of these “journaling programs “ are going to ask me to. I’ll deal with that when I get there if I do. I’ll check out your resources and I won’t get a single one for now.

You’re fantastic Jan. I appreciate being reminded that there’s no need to scramble. I’ll put that reminder on my Evidence sheet. . No need to walk through the muddy lake. It’s really odd that when I was about 7, my family went to Estes Park, Colorado and did a short trail ride on horseback . After 48 years I still remember his name. It was Trouble. All in a nice little line my family went following the guide. As the path veered right, Trouble did not. Trouble and I went right through the middle of the muddy pond . I sometimes wonder if Trouble picked me or the guide did. I had 4 brothers. I am right in the middle.

I’m not going to do any journaling or any days of study for the next 4 days. I’m going to pick something and push aside all else. I did end up getting The MindBody Workbook but not sure if I’m going to use it. I have read enough of Sarno but I now have a fine, outdated but spectacular book collection.

Thank you again. I have heard you and I will heed your advice.

 

[JanAtheCPA]

can I respond to just one sentence without all the rigmarole I just went through?

To isolate part of a post that you want to specifically respond to, just highlight it, and then click or touch on the word "reply" that (magically ) appears in a small bubble at the lower right of the highlight. How you do the highlighting depends on whether you are using a mouse or a touchscreen, but it's a technology skill that you probably already know how to use.

Good job picking up on this! Lots of people automatically hit the "Reply" link at the bottom of someone's post, which quotes and copies the entire thing before their own response - which is almost always a redundant waste of space! IMHO, it's much more useful to either highlight and Reply/Quote selectively, or don't use that feature at all - just respond in the blank box.

 

[Jak]

To isolate part of a post that you want to specifically respond to, just highlight it, and then click or touch on the word "reply"

Thank you! I'm just giving it a quick test. You're one of the best!!

Thx Jan! Have a wonderful weekend. I say it and I mean it! I can't tell you how good it feels to not SAY the right thing but FEEL indifferent.

Truly,
Julie

 

[Lojos]

Just thought I would mention this…….. I tried to log into my account here and couldn’t so I posted on “Tell me about your Pain” website and they didn’t publish it as they said the site was out of date,yet I have found it to extremely in depth and resourceful.

 

[Rinkey]

OMG, @Jak, I'm exhausted just reading your post!

Do NOT fall into the trap of taking on too much. Doing this is actually a trick produced by your fearful brain, and, as evidenced by your state of confusion, it's a wonderful TMS capital D Distraction!

Or, as I like to say, THIS is your brain on TMS!

This is fantastic advice Jan and also very very wise!!

 

[Rinkey]

To isolate part of a post that you want to specifically respond to, just highlight it, and then click or touch on the word "reply" that (magically ) appears in a small bubble at the lower right of the highlight. How you do the highlighting depends on whether you are using a mouse or a touchscreen, but it's a technology skill that you probably already know how to use.

Ah-Ha!!! Thanks Jan. I was struggling trying to remember how to do this when I saw your directions. It's been quite a long time since I've written here.
Now to figure out how to get reply alerts sent to my email.... I've got that filled in on my profile but not sure it's working.

 

[JanAtheCPA]

Testing a reply for @Rinkey

 

[Rinkey]

Testing a reply for @Rinkey

Please send test again Jan.

 

[JanAtheCPA]

Please send test again Jan.

Here you go. If you don't get an email for this I'll see if I can tweak your account. I'll also send you a DM, which should trigger another email. So you should get two emails from the system, telling you that JanAtheCPA has replied to a thread or started a private convo.

 

[Rinkey]

Just thought I would mention this…….. I tried to log into my account here and couldn’t so I posted on “Tell me about your Pain” website and they didn’t publish it as they said the site was out of date,yet I have found it to extremely in depth and resourceful.

Lojos - I had a bit of trouble with the system too however I think Jan can help. Alan’s Tell Me About Your Pain is helpful.
Here’s a new site that’s quite helpful too.
https://www.symptomatic.me/ (Symptomatic)

 

[Rinkey]

Here you go. If you don't get an email for this I'll see if I can tweak your account. I'll also send you a DM, which should trigger another email. So you should get two emails from the system, telling you that JanAtheCPA has replied to a thread or started a private convo.

thanks Jan!!

 

[Lojos]

Thank you Rinkey

 

[berlinale]

Hello. I am new to this forum and TMS in general and amazed of how valuable this ist. I want to start the program immediately but a bit confused about the difference is between the structured educational program and den pain recovery program? Should I start with one or the other or can I do them in parallel? Thanks a lot for your input.