We all know that person that we learn not to ask "how are you?" because they will tell us in great detail about every ache and pain that they have. They seem to always be "suffering" from something and may have a medicine cabinet full of prescriptions to help them cope with their ailments.
Many of their ailments may be tied to each other, one just being a symptom of another but all can be traced back to a psychological trauma that has or hasn't been dealt with. Not to insinuate that every case of a physical symptom is based in psychological trauma but the truth is that your mind can cause your body to react in illnesses.
I recently came across a blog that is written by a doctor who also is a practicing Buddhist. He himself recently suffered from psychosomatic pain and bravely was able to admit to it. His story with dealing with physical symptoms caused by psychological reasons is not only enlightening but makes me wonder about many conditions that people suffer from today including my own chronic pain.
At one point in my life I was suffering from severe depression, taking an anti-depressant and still having symptoms of anxiety that were threatening to control my life. In response to these feelings I developed issues that my primary care doctor diagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. A prescription medication was given to me to help me cope with the symptoms. An anti-anxiety medication was also prescribed and before I knew it, I was taking several prescription medications. I was on a roller coaster ride of dealing with side effects and honestly, I wasn't feeling any better. In fact, I was feeling worse.
I was having physical aches and pains that I didn't have before. (this was all years before I had my accident).
I had tried therapy in the past but not having good medical coverage I had little choice in therapists. I got stuck with someone who was not good at listening. It had been a waste of my time.
Through my own self-exploration and research I realized that many of my issues were due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which is a form of depression/anxiety. Untreated it can linger for years. Although I was taking an anti-depressant I still was experiencing the side effects of an old emotional trauma. I was fed up with all the prescription bottles littering my purse and knew it was getting out of control.
I took my recovery into my own hands. I stopped many of the medications that the doctor had prescribed. I watched my diet and avoided foods that caused me to have stomach upset. I even slowly weaned myself off of the anti-depressants. It was necessary - the anti-depressants were just not working and if anything, I felt numb to feeling any emotions at all.
It is difficult to admit the power your mind has over your body. Admitting that an emotional trauma can cause you to experience physical symptoms that originate from a place in your mind can make you feel weak. Your body and your mind need to be in balance in order for you to function in a healthy way.
Sometimes when your body reacts by getting sick or showing symptoms of an illness; even though a medical doctor can stick a label on it does not mean that you should accept the label and go on with your life. Get to the root of the problem and once you do, you may find that illness will become more manageable and it might even cease to be a problem.
Kind of scary how much power your mind has, isn't it? It is far scarier to admit to yourself that you are a victim of psychosomatic symptoms. Once you can find the courage it can be the key in changing your life.
Many of their ailments may be tied to each other, one just being a symptom of another but all can be traced back to a psychological trauma that has or hasn't been dealt with. Not to insinuate that every case of a physical symptom is based in psychological trauma but the truth is that your mind can cause your body to react in illnesses.
I recently came across a blog that is written by a doctor who also is a practicing Buddhist. He himself recently suffered from psychosomatic pain and bravely was able to admit to it. His story with dealing with physical symptoms caused by psychological reasons is not only enlightening but makes me wonder about many conditions that people suffer from today including my own chronic pain.
At one point in my life I was suffering from severe depression, taking an anti-depressant and still having symptoms of anxiety that were threatening to control my life. In response to these feelings I developed issues that my primary care doctor diagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. A prescription medication was given to me to help me cope with the symptoms. An anti-anxiety medication was also prescribed and before I knew it, I was taking several prescription medications. I was on a roller coaster ride of dealing with side effects and honestly, I wasn't feeling any better. In fact, I was feeling worse.
I was having physical aches and pains that I didn't have before. (this was all years before I had my accident).
I had tried therapy in the past but not having good medical coverage I had little choice in therapists. I got stuck with someone who was not good at listening. It had been a waste of my time.
Through my own self-exploration and research I realized that many of my issues were due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which is a form of depression/anxiety. Untreated it can linger for years. Although I was taking an anti-depressant I still was experiencing the side effects of an old emotional trauma. I was fed up with all the prescription bottles littering my purse and knew it was getting out of control.
I took my recovery into my own hands. I stopped many of the medications that the doctor had prescribed. I watched my diet and avoided foods that caused me to have stomach upset. I even slowly weaned myself off of the anti-depressants. It was necessary - the anti-depressants were just not working and if anything, I felt numb to feeling any emotions at all.
It is difficult to admit the power your mind has over your body. Admitting that an emotional trauma can cause you to experience physical symptoms that originate from a place in your mind can make you feel weak. Your body and your mind need to be in balance in order for you to function in a healthy way.
Sometimes when your body reacts by getting sick or showing symptoms of an illness; even though a medical doctor can stick a label on it does not mean that you should accept the label and go on with your life. Get to the root of the problem and once you do, you may find that illness will become more manageable and it might even cease to be a problem.
Kind of scary how much power your mind has, isn't it? It is far scarier to admit to yourself that you are a victim of psychosomatic symptoms. Once you can find the courage it can be the key in changing your life.
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