HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

can the mind mimic slight pain

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/24/2013 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone feel that the mind can cause you to sense pain when it isnt there - by that i mean just slight pain. As well as having tingling sensations in my fingers I've noticed that when I focus in on this I seem to sense a little pain that flits around to different parts of my hand - stays about 30 seconds in a certain area. But then if I get caught up in an activity its like i completely forget I had a sense of pain. For instance yesterday I thought I was having lots of these flitting hand pains and was nervous about playing tennis...but after 45 mins of tennis I'd completely forgotten about the pain and my anxiety I just stopped and said '"Hey am I not supposed to be hurting in my hand".

Can the mind make you feel physical sensations such as light fllitting pain when there is nothing there? I'm new to accepting that I do have an anxiety condition so just trying to gauge how powerful the mind can be in anxiety.

Thanks

Posted 7/24/2013 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
This is based purely on my beliefs (I'm no science whiz), but, yes, I do think so.

It makes sense - your brain, after all receives the stimulus that lets you be aware of pain no matter the source. So, the brain's kinda in charge of all pain.

Other times, I think we're experiencing the same random pains that we experienced before anxiety. We just experience them more intensely because our anxiety brain focuses so much attention on the matter. (Consider for, example, waking up with one of your arms asleep from being under the pillow. I used to just shake it a bit and move on, now that's a kinda big deal sometimes. lol)

Whatever the reason, my body does seem much more painful the last few months. Pretty sure it's anxiety, because OTC pain relievers do nadda but my buspar sometimes makes me feel better. Right now, my head hurts and my back hurts. I couldn't accurately tell you how bad. I *think* really, really bad, but who knows? lol
Posted 7/24/2013 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for that BeRock...your posts are always very reassuring to newbies....additionally im a type A OCD which makes things worse...i sense im actually willing my pain to arise at times....and i agree then when you do not have anxiety you do not sense a lot of these bodily emptions....the brain really can be a bully at times
Posted 7/24/2013 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure what the different types of OCD are, even though I have OCD. lol. (Recent diagnosis) My counselor calls mine "Responsibility OCD"

I can relate to what you're saying about willing the pain to happen.

I worry about unintentionally willing bad things to happen to other people and animals. The cycle of "Did I want that to happen?" "Of course I didn't want it to happen." "Maybe I did and didn't KNOW it. I did think about it before it happened." "Wait? Did I think about it before it happened or right after it happened?" is pretty aggravating. ;)
Posted 7/24/2013 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
And, YES! The brain can definitely be a bully! Oh would that we could make it behave. ;)
Posted 7/24/2013 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
its amazing what happens when the brain is turned off...be it caught up in a certain compleeling situation (like tennis!!)...or because you must urgently attend to something else....i find im a completely different person when im not thinking excessively....those who can shut the brain down are truely very lucky
Posted 7/24/2013 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
They are, indeed! Or even those who can get the mind to follow their rules instead of them following its rules. haha
Posted 7/24/2013 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with BR that we with anxiety, are simply more tuned into our bodies.

Everyone, I believe, has random pains, twinges, feelings of being 'off', ect...we are imperfect and organic beings after all.

The difference is that while most people hardly notice these things and shrug them off...we are hyperaware, and go on red alert. Thus bringing on anxiety and more symptoms.

Of course if something is really high on the pain scale, or it persists or worsens, then it needs to be checked. However, the fact that you were distractable like you mentioned is a good indication that you are fine...and it is great that you recognized that and did not let it get to you.:)

I hope that you continue to do well...keep up the good work.

S.C.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply