Q&A: Can Sleep problems be addressed using TMS theory?
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Answer by Audrey Berdeski, DC | |
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Audrey Berdeski's Profile Page / Survey Response |
Dr. Sarno's theory could be of good value in a situation like this. I'm going to assume that you've been checked by a Doctor to rule out physical causes of sleeplessness already. Your sleep problem could very well be caused by unconscious rage, just as physical pain can be. The key is to get into your unconscious mind through the journaling and writing exercises expose what is in your unconscious mind. Starting to think psychologically about the sleep problems, and talk to your unconscious mind, telling it that you know what it's doing and that your sleep problems are from the repressed rage. Also, a daily meditation or reflection period is important, so that you can take time to think each day about what it takes to get better. -- It is important to recognize that no information on this wiki can be considered a specific medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice. Reading information here does not create a doctor/patient or other professional relationship between you and the answering professional. As always, you should consult with your physicians and counselors regarding new symptoms and any changes that you might make in medications or activities. |
Answer by Lisa Morphopoulos, LCSW | |
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Lisa Morphopoulos, LCSW |
SLEEP DEPRIVED Sounds like you need to quiet your mind, stop the monkey-mind. Commit to meditation 5-15 minutes each morning and/or evening - last thing before bed. The purpose of this practice is to quiet your mind and get close to yourself. Have an evening ritual. Start putting yourself to bed an hour before you'd like to be asleep to give yourself time to unwind. Stop doing anything work/task related. Just get ready for bed. When in bed, have a low light, a soft lamp and/or candle. Lie on your back and let your mind answer any nagging questions; keep a notebook for things to do tomorrow, if these thoughts bother you. Lie down, do not sit up, and read a book you enjoy. Take time out to ponder if your mind wonders, then return to your reading. Keep the light on until your eyes get heavy. If you wake during the night, consider that this is time that you need to be close to yourself. Ask yourself what you need, what's concerning you. Reassure yourself that things will ultimately work out. Tell yourself that as long as you're resting, you'll be OK tomorrow. Work with your therapist on what bedtime was like growing up: Who put you to bed? What was that time like? Did you feel safe or were you afraid of the dark? What kind of reoccurring childhood dreams/nightmares did you have? What did you do when you woke up? Did you go to mom and dad? Did they comfort you? And so on... MEDITATION Set an alarm for 15 minutes. Sit cross-legged on floor facing a wall. Wedge a flat pillow, or a rolled up blanket under your seat to support you. Place hands on knees. Keep eyes open, or closed. Breathe naturally. You may be tempted to control your breath. Try, though, to let your breath just happen. With a gentle effort on the inhale, the exhale is an automatic release. Follow your breath. Notice the beginning, middle, and end of the breath. Feel the inner lining of the breath. As you focus on your breath, your attention will wander. Next thing you know, you're in a trance, somewhere else. You may be thinking of a situation or a task. Tell yourself that you can solve the problem later and return to your breath. Keep doing this. Notice how your mind wanders, like a baby waddling away, and retrieve it. You may think that nothing is happening, that you're not doing it right, or that you're not doing a very good job at it. That's fine, just keep doing it. You may find this boring or tedious. Engaging in the struggle is what makes this work. You will experience the benefits later. Your mind will be clear, you will feel good, and solutions will easily pop into your head from your unconscious. Hope this helps, Lisa -- It is important to recognize that no information on this wiki can be considered a specific medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice. Reading information here does not create a doctor/patient or other professional relationship between you and the answering professional. As always, you should consult with your physicians and counselors regarding new symptoms and any changes that you might make in medications or activities. |
Other Resources
- Q&A: I like my therapist, but she doesn't know about TMS
- Learning to feel emotions rather than suppressing them
- TMS Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
| DISCLAIMER: The TMS Wiki is for informational and support purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. See Full Disclaimer. |
