I heard somewhere, I don’t remember where, the expression “the mind lies to us”. I didn’t understand what it meant at the time, but lately I’ve been reading more about the connection between autoimmune diseases and psychological disorders, and I’ve been thinking how well that phrase applies here. It has been scientifically proven that there is a vicious cycle between the inflammation from autoimmune diseases, the pain felt and the mood disorders, they potentiate each other, no matter which one occurs first, the others occur too. Childhood emotional trauma increases the chances of an autoimmune disease, and inflammation from autoimmune diseases also affects the brain, which, through specific mechanisms, triggers depression and anxiety. Knowing this, we take the first step towards realizing that these disorders are part of our disease, one of the symptoms. Medication can also cause mood disorders. In the case of young people, the manifestations of depression and anxiety are somehow sudden and noisy, so measures can be taken to stop or relieve them. But in the case of adults, the symptoms come on slowly, over a long period of time, and thus the stress becomes chronic and difficult to combat. Helplessness, despair, unjustified guilt, sense of worthlessness and self-hatred are hidden deep inside. Over time the feeling of giving up appears, because apparently there is no hope left. The feeling of giving up is an adaptive mechanism. If felt for a short period of time, it has been shown to have a constructive, resting and regenerating, energy conserving activity. It’s ok to let go of control for a few hours, a day, two, to feel helpless and angry, not to keep it inside. Thus our body regenerates. But if we ignore those states and push ourselves, fight what we feel, we risk perpetuating the disturbances. If we bury them in the subconscious, it does not mean that they are gone.
How does the mind lie to us? It lies to us when we identify with psychic pain. When something hurts, it takes priority. Both physically and mentally. When your leg hurts, you don’t notice the hands that support you more now, when you can’t help your painful leg. When you have mental pain it blinds you to what you have and can help you. When you’re depressed or anxious, affirmations or practicing gratitude can’t help you, because your mind is set on pain, helplessness, and self-rejection. Sometimes you can’t even look at your own image in the mirror, you won’t believe that you are the wonder of the world or flourishing health even after 1000 repetitions of the affirmations. But you can look around to see what you have and ignore it. Just note, don’t feel guilty about not being grateful for them. Just notice you have them. Slowly but steadily, in addition to noticing the pain, notice something of what you have. A house, a job, a child, a partner, a comfortable bed, a soft cat, a sunny day, a plant by the window, a good phone to take pictures or listen to music with, a favorite food… Do you remember that childhood memory game where you string objects together? Every day add something, a “something” you have. Like a constant, slow, daily exercise. And after a while you will find that your mind has lied to you. That it has corrupted your soul to feel untrue things. It takes exercise, constant practice. How can you trick your mind instead of it tricking you? Learn how to feel.