The Divided Mind: The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders

by John E. Sarno

To summarize: Dr. Sarno has identified three potential sources for this rage in the unconscious. In each person the quantity from each source will vary. Stresses and strains of daily life The residue of anger from infancy and childhood Internal conflict (self-imposed pressure—the clash of the id and the superego; it also comes from perfectionist and goodist traits)

It helps to think of rage as accumulated stress. Not all sources of stress are equal—some may be annoying nuisances, while others may be enormous. This is a critical concept.

reservoirs come in all sizes.

Now you understand about the reservoir of rage. These unpleasant thoughts and emotions “strive to rise to consciousness,” which would be completely unacceptable. To prevent this from happening, the brain creates pain as a distraction. As a society, we are very somatically focused, preoccupied with every ache or pain. By focusing our attention on physical symptoms, we keep these painful thoughts and emotions repressed. This is a very effective strategy, and as evidence of that fact there is an absolute epidemic of mindbody disorders in our society.

TMS is a strategy of the brain to keep unpleasant thoughts and emotions from rising from the unconscious into the conscious mind. The brain, through established physiologic pathways, creates pain as a distraction. By focusing our attention on physical symptoms, we keep these painful thoughts and emotions repressed. This is a very effective strategy, as there is an absolute epidemic of mindbody disorders in our society.