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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pearl on May 15, 2005, at 1:59:44
I recently developed a cold. Yes, I know, big deal. I am not one who is normally shocked by this. In fact, I seem to always be having a constant cold. However, this one hit me harder then usual, and I've been out of classes for an entire week now. I still feel pretty crappy. In the time I've spent at home, I kept telling myself that I really had to get work done. But I could only do it on some very few occasions. Now, I had an entire week, so this started to strike me as odd. Staying home because you're sick is one thing, but not doing the assignments you know you have to get done? Then I started noticing that every time I sat down to work... I started feeling bad. I got stiffly, and there was coughing and sneezing and general grossness. So I was wondering... can it be psychosomatic? Can the stress of feeling like I have to work all the time have made my mind invent an excuse to get out of it? And if so, did it make me sick, or is it just preventing me from getting better? How do I fix it?
Thanks much for anybody who bothered to read… I'm new, So I don't really know what to expect, or if this is the kind of thing thats discussed here.
Posted by Dinah on May 15, 2005, at 12:58:49
In reply to psychosomatic illness, posted by pearl on May 15, 2005, at 1:59:44
Hi Pearl, and welcome. Yes, this is fine to discuss here.
Maybe it's a question of motivation? I don't like to work at the best of times, but when I'm feeling crummy physically I like it even less.
And somehow staring at work reminds me how much worse I feel than sleeping or staring at the TV. So you might not be making yourself sick so much as noticing it more.
How do you feel about your schoolwork in general?
Posted by pinkeye on May 15, 2005, at 13:41:08
In reply to psychosomatic illness, posted by pearl on May 15, 2005, at 1:59:44
I wouldn't go so far to charecterize your cold and not getting work done as a psychosomatic illness (reserve that for mcuh more serious illnesses like autoimmune disorders)
But of course if you don't like what you are doing - the studies or feeling pressured about studies, then it is highly possible that mind makes its own excuses.
I feel that if I feel, that I HAVE TO DO soemthing, then that is the time, when I don't feel like doing it. Like I don't work that much during regular office hours - but I end up staying late and my productivity goes up 10 times.. Weekends my productivity is 10 times more than regular weekdays. I think it is because during regular work hours, I beat myself up saying I have to work, and that kind of works in an opposite way.
It could be that you are beating yourself up about not studying and that is making it worse. The very fact that you are so concerned about a week's lack of productivity strikes me that probably you are doing it.
Posted by rainbowbrite on May 15, 2005, at 13:48:48
In reply to psychosomatic illness, posted by pearl on May 15, 2005, at 1:59:44
>>Can the stress of feeling like I have to work all the time have made my mind invent an excuse to get out of it? And if so, did it make me sick, or is it just preventing me from getting better? How do I fix it?
I believe so, I dont think you have anything psychosomatic but I think we can make our selves feel sick unconsciously when we our overwhellmed. I think I have had this happen before and then something better came up and I felt a bit better. It also might be where you are working...are you alergic to anything in the area? Is it stuffy? that may add to feeling yucky. If possible try to relocate and see if it helps.
Take care
rain
Posted by pearl on May 15, 2005, at 19:52:19
In reply to Re: psychosomatic illness » pearl, posted by Dinah on May 15, 2005, at 12:58:49
I have been deeply hateful towards my studies of late. Math is not my area, and it takes me a very long time to get my assignments completed. This means that, basically, my entire day is spent doing math, if I want to do well. That’s not good for my mental health, I suspect. So I'm sure that has something to do with it.
But what can you do? Everyone has to do this. Since they can cut it, I feel like I should be able to. Otherwise it’s admitting that you’re not as intelligent as the rest of your class. I guess its just hitting me worse. The pressure put on students these days is perfectly ridiculous. I just want to be lazy and have fun, but then you fall so far behind. Sometimes I forget what I'm working for in the first place. Hmm...
Posted by pinkeye on May 15, 2005, at 20:18:43
In reply to Re: psychosomatic illness, posted by pearl on May 15, 2005, at 19:52:19
Sorry to hear that.
How old are you? Is this something you have to do? Or is it something you are just doing as an option?
Many of us have to do certain things in life - like basic studies, some career etc, whether we like it or not, to sustain ourselves. And some times during childhood and young age, you may resent learning something, but when you become an adult, you will appreciate that you learnt it. It all depends on what stage of life you are in.
And sometimes, when you really hate something, but you have to do it regardless, then it might be a good idea to adequately reward yourself when you do it. I used to do that - if I study for 1 hour, then I used to allow myself 15 minute break to read a novel or watch tv. And then I go back to study again. You can perhaps treat yourself in some way (ice cream !!) if you finish it off early.
I agree about the pressure on students. But unfortunately, there is nothing much you can do about it. There are some things we cannot help in our lives. just have to live with them. Even if you go to work, it is not always fun. There are lots of mundane, routine things which you have to do irrespective of whether you like it or not. Maybe looking at it from that perspective - that everybody has to do lots of stuff they don't like to get to do some stuff they like will help.
Posted by Dinah on May 15, 2005, at 21:24:12
In reply to Re: psychosomatic illness, posted by pearl on May 15, 2005, at 19:52:19
I understand. I hate my work, and I know my various illnesses seem more severe against the backdrop of something I don't want to do. Not that they aren't real. But I can more often (but not always) manage to work through them if there's something I want to do.
I guess all there is to do is grit your teeth and study even if you feel sick, if the studying must be done. Easier said than done, as my boss could tell you.
Posted by pearl on May 15, 2005, at 22:23:27
In reply to Re: psychosomatic illness » pearl, posted by pinkeye on May 15, 2005, at 20:18:43
I'm just a humble Jr in high school. We're only talking about Alg 2, here. I'm very English oriented. You know how it is, you're either good at math, or good at English. My mind isn't built for math... I find it very stressful. Also, my stepfather is the one whom I have to end up going to for help. I don't like the way he teaches, and we have personal problems that sometimes I worry may be subconsciously interrupting my learning. Like I started associating math with my stepfather. And I hate my stepfather.
Jeez, even simple conversation about psychosomatic illness has escorted us to the tried and true “my parents didn’t love me enough…” Heh.
Posted by pinkeye on May 16, 2005, at 13:37:53
In reply to Re: psychosomatic illness, posted by pearl on May 15, 2005, at 22:23:27
Well, you seem to be a bright kid for sure.
I didn't know how to analyze myself and things so much when I was your age.
But couple of things you might like to understand.. Math is not your step father. Even though you associate it with him, ultimately you know that is not the truth. If you could, and if there is a way, try to find someone you like and who is good at math and go to that person for help. I have always done extremely well in subjects, when I liked the teacher who teaches the subject. If you don't like your step father, stop going to him for help. Try to find other ways to get help - your classmate, or teacher, or someone else. Also for the same reason you might want to put little more effort into math by yourself, so you don't have to go to your step dad. The weaker in math you are, the more you have to deal with him. The stronger in math you are, the less you have to get lecturing from him. Isn't that an incentive?
And it is true that some people's brains are more wired for one thing rather than the other. Some people have more capacity in arts and language, and some people have more capacity in maths and science.
One thing that might console you is that people who achieve the most fame is people who are more artistic and linguistic.
I used to hate some subject in school. I was not a linguistic person and was more into maths and science. But I tried to do well in linguistics as well, because I figured if I am going to get admitted into a good college, then I need good scores in high school in everything. And if I try to do well now in linguistics, then I can have the choice to do things as I wish later in college. That is how life really works - you sacrifice a little of your interests, and you end up getting a huge bonus and things you wanted.
This is the end of the thread.
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