Have You Thanked Your Symptoms?

What if your symptoms are showing up to look out for you? What if they are merely messengers from your best self? What if the very thing you're hoping to get rid of is the thing to befriend? What if, instead of running away from the feeling, you stood still with it for a moment?

Gratitude is not usually the first feeling we experience when we think of having symptoms.  In fact, with the pervasiveness of the medical model in our modern culture, it would be quite challenging to not have a small (or big) rise in anxiety in even hearing the word “symptoms.”  Our knee jerk response might be to immediately hop on the computer and do a quick search to scan for a diagnosis and to find some answers and treatment options as swiftly as possible.

If we think about it, symptoms are actually signals about something being out of sorts or out of balance.  We can liken their role to that of the “check engine” light on a car.  Given the option to have your car’s check engine light come on in the case of an actual problem, would you rather have the light come on or would you rather not have it come on?  As tempting as denial can be at times, I think most of us would rather know about an issue so we can address it and create a more secure experience for ourselves.

This concept applies not only to physical symptoms but also psychological ones.  When we experience heightened anxiety, prolonged sadness, negative self-thoughts, self-doubt, perfectionism, rumination, and so forth, these “symptoms” are letting us know that something doesn’t feel right internally.  It’s an outward signal about an inward experience—perhaps an uncomfortable feeling or an emotional injury that has not yet found its way to a peaceful state.

There exists a part to our psyche that wants wellness and health for us and always strives to nudge us in that direction.  When symptoms show up, think of them as kind messengers that have been sent by this part of your psyche—the part that sees you and your struggles (big or small), and wants to see you connected to your most whole self, living at your fullest expression, feeling seamlessly aligned with your truest voice and most authentic self, empowered and liberated by standing in your truth.

In my 20 years of clinical practice, the greatest barrier I have observed in appreciating this invitation toward wellness is fear of feelings.  There have been countless times when I have said to a patient, “I am not scared of the feelings you are having; in fact, I am excited for the journey that awaits you.”  All of us have terrifying moments in our lives, and often times, in our most paralyzed moments, the one thing that helps us put one foot in front of the other is our trust in the person willing to help us.  I completely understand how nerve-wracking starting therapy can be, and I am ready to make the experience as comfortable as possible for you with patience, compassion, mutual respect, and trust.

Every patient has full autonomy—therapy is a process that only moves at the pace with which you are comfortable, and I would have it no other way.  It’s very important to be respectful of where you are and to let the process unfold in a natural way.  The pace and the choice belong to you. The guidance along the way belongs to me.

So if you are currently struggling with any “symptoms,” say a little thank you to your higher self for looking out for you.  And if you have any curiosity to decode the messages awaiting your growth, please feel free to reach out to me.

Warmly,

Dr. Lisa