Ranting

Heya guys,

Gotta rant a little bit. Only you guys can ever understand this! My parents are well-meaning (and also sick, I am sure of it, but they don't want to make the proper changes to seek real help), but they don't fully understand the gravity of Lyme, co-infections, and Candida (which now seems to be thriving the most in my body).

My mom is suggesting, nay, insisting, that I read this book called The Divided Mind by by John E. Sarno. The author claims that every ailment is psychosomatic. That what your body feels is actually caused by your mind which is putting your attention on your symptom while there's actually an underlying subconscious issue that you have to get through in order to truly resolve your physical pain.

And last month, I tried to read it, but it truly angered me, because from what I read so far, there's no scientific back up to his theories and claims (except case studies). Likewise, he lacks knowledge about diseases like syphilis, Lyme Disease, Candida, other infections which can mimic different symptoms that are caused by bacteria messing with your immune system, nervous system, digestive system, mineral and vitamin intake, neurotransmitters, etc.

My mom thinks my overreaction to foods, fragrances, chemicals and my neuropathy and chest pain and occasional depression/anxiety is because I have some unresolved subconscious issue that I should bring attention to. She thinks I don't have Lyme anymore because the test is negative, while all my practitioners claim that I definitely have it and it isn't something you can diagnose by lab diagnostics alone. It makes me feel very invalidated. She insists I read the book again because it will help me psychologically.

I honestly feel horrible even thinking about reading it. The issue is that I also have very strained relationship with my parents from time to time (for the most part it is good). If I don't do as she says, she may flip and I really can't take more stress when I'm trying to heal. Ugh. So frustrating.

I fully understand there's also psychological healing involved. I don't deny that. I know the importance of reducing stress and trying to surround myself with happy things and be optimistic about my treatment. That is what I am doing. But claiming that my symptoms are because of unresolved emotional issues is bogus.

Nope, not psychosomatic...not buying it.


We wouldn't be herxing when we treat it....and losing symptoms...the longer we treat it...if it was 'in our heads'.

I'm sorry you aren't being validated, supported by your parents...

Well there's truth and fallacy to it. Your mind does directly influence your immune system as does it influence how you interact with the world which increases or decreases your risk of illness. Your mental health is an inseparable part of a holistic healing process but to say it is all mind alone is a grave misunderstanding of the nature of life. There is no separation between mind and body and therefor healing must be attended to on all levels. I'm on your side here just don't underestimate the healing power of the mind

I would agree with everyone here - yes, the mind has an amazing impact on our health and well being, but to think that the mind alone can 'cure' these infections, cancer, or any number of other conditions is a bit naive. I had these infection from the time I was 7 years old, until I was 49 years old. Believe me, if it was possible for me to heal using my mind only - I would have. No one believed me about what I was experiencing, not even my family, but it never once diminished the symptoms I actually had.

All you can do is take care of yourself, unfortunately. Maybe if you heal, she will listen to you then???

sounds similar to the Medical Medium guy he thinks that everything is caused from EBV if you get rid of that everything else falls into place. there's no shortage of folks with theories that can't be double blind proven.

Definitely not psychosomatic. It's a hard thing to explain to people especially when you don't look sick. I also think that people believe that you can just wish yourself better. Don't get me wrong, the mind is powerful and thinking positively and good thoughts ultimately helps our healing, but to sit and do nothing is absolutely foolish.

My mom brought up the book again today. And she kept repeating I would benefit from it because it's our minds that control our symptoms and create psychosomatic disorders. I kept explaining to her about Lyme, how serious of an infectious disease it is. She kept saying that this disease doesn't have specific symptoms and could be appropriated to many other illnesses. And she brought up if I really had it, the test would show positive. Same for Candida. Really frustrated me. Breaks my heart when my parents don't believe me.

Unfortunately (or fortunately for me), my parents live in Canada. I am in the states with my husband. It would have been much harder to treat Lyme there and to have anyone believe me. I will ask my naturopath if there's some tests we can do that will be more sensitive or if she could provide me with advice on how to deal with this.

Haha, hi neighbor!

I would quit trying to convince her and just keep her thinking you're reading the book again.

Make her believe you're willing your mind to health as much as possible, which frankly I don't think any of us haven't tried 100 times anyway, and let her see it's not enough.