Commit Psychology

Imagine that you are walking through the mountains one day. You are on a narrow path. To the right of you is a deep valley. The sun is out. The weather is warm. Everything is going well. Then all of a sudden the path gives way, your feet go from under you and down you go into the valley below. You land at the bottom, relatively unharmed. The bottom of the valley is a quagmire. It is damp, grey and stinky and to add insult to injury it starts to rain.

Your natural instinct is, perhaps, to try to climb back up to your old path, but there is a scree slope in the way, so you get so far and then slide back down, hurting your hands and knees in the process. It doesn’t look like you are going to be able to get back up.

You might spend lots of time trying to understand how you got to where you are. Why did the path give way? Why didn’t you see it coming? Why did you choose to go for a walk that day? While that might help next time you are walking along a similar path, it’s not going to get you out of the valley.

What are your choices? Well, you can sit down in the mud and wait in the hope that a helicopter will come along and lift you out of the situation, but that just gets you a wet bottom.

You can run around aimlessly in the hope that you will stumble onto a different path out of there, but that just leaves you feeling confused or hopeless.

Or you can focus your eyes on the horizon, look towards the far off mountains and start walking in that direction, not knowing whether the weather will get better or worse, not knowing whether the terrain will improve or not, putting one foot in front of another, not knowing how far or fast you can go. Moving on, with commitment.

You may not be able to choose the terrain, the weather, or how quickly you move. But you can still choose a consistent direction and continue, step by step, towards the mountains of desire.

IS VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION THE ANSWER TO CHRONIC FATIGUE?

There is growing interest in vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as a possible treatment for persistent fatigue, particularly following viral illness. Early research is promising. Small studies suggest it may influence autonomic regulation, inflammation, and sleep — all of which are relevant to fatigue.

However, the current evidence base is limited. Findings are mixed, studies are small, and there is not yet clear, consistent evidence that VNS provides reliable, clinically meaningful improvement for most people with chronic fatigue.

It is understandable that many are looking for a “root cause” explanation and a direct solution. At present, that level of certainty is not supported by the science.

Current guidance, including that from National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, continues to emphasise careful symptom management. This includes pacing, energy regulation, sleep stabilisation, and psychological approaches that support adjustment and reduce the impact of symptoms over time.

For many people, progress comes not from a single intervention, but from a structured, individualised approach that works with the body’s limits rather than against them.

If you are struggling with persistent fatigue and would like a more tailored, evidence-based approach, you can arrange a free 15-minute consultation at
https://www.commitpsychology.co.uk

Low mood on the horizon?

Winter blues don't have to take over.

Winter can bring more than cold weather. Many people find their mood drops as the days shorten. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy provides simple, practical tools to manage low mood and keep life moving forward.

Don’t wait for winter to take hold. Support is available.
Practical tools from www.commitpsychology.co.uk

Commit Psychology – help with health.

Discover a New Way to Relieve Back Pain: Pain Reprocessing Therapy

Imagine finding relief without medications or invasive medical procedures. Intrigued? Let us introduce you to Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) – a groundbreaking approach that's changing lives!

What is Pain Reprocessing Therapy
PRT is a revolutionary treatment that taps into the power of neuroplasticity – the brain's incredible ability to rewire and heal itself. This therapy helps your brain unlearn the pain pathways that may have been causing you distress, offering a path to lasting relief.

Research-Backed Efficacy
Recent studies have shown remarkable results with PRT. A landmark study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that 66% of participants reported being pain-free or nearly pain-free after just four weeks of PRT. The science behind this is solid – by retraining the brain, we can address the root cause of chronic pain.

Why Choose PRT
**No Medications**: Say goodbye to dependency on painkillers.
**Non-Invasive**: Avoid surgeries and other invasive treatments.
**Empowering**: Take control of your pain management with techniques you can practice at home.
**Long-Lasting Relief**: Address the underlying causes of pain for sustained improvement.

Neuroplasticity: The Key to Long-Term Pain Relief
Our brains are constantly evolving. Neuroplasticity allows the brain to form new connections and pathways. In the case of chronic pain, your brain may have learned to feel pain even when there's no physical injury. PRT helps to rewire these faulty pathways, teaching your brain to stop generating pain signals.

Curious to Learn More
If you're tired of temporary fixes and want a solution that gets to the core of your back pain, Pain Reprocessing Therapy could be the answer.

commitpsychology.co.uk for more information.

Are you suffering from Neuroplastic Pain?

If your chronic pain is caused by neuroplastic changes in the brain, typical treatments like pills, potions, and injections may not be effective.

Here’s how you can identify neuroplastic pain:

Pain Without Clear Physical Cause: The pain persists even when medical tests show no significant tissue damage or abnormalities.

Pain That Changes Location or Intensity: It often moves around the body or varies in intensity without a consistent pattern.

Triggered by Emotional or Psychological Factors: The pain can be influenced by stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional states rather than physical activity.

Pain Despite Healing of Original Injury: Pain continues long after an injury has healed, indicating the brain retains the pain signals.

Symptom Fluctuations: The severity of pain may fluctuate without a clear physical reason.

Pain Associated With Anxiety or Hypervigilance: Heightened sensitivity to pain or an exaggerated response to stimuli, often with anxiety or hypervigilance.

Lack of Response to Conventional Treatments: Pain persists despite conventional treatments like anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or surgeries.

Widespread Pain: The pain affects multiple areas of the body, not just one specific region.

Pain That Correlates With Thought Patterns: Pain increases with negative thinking or decreases when distracted or engaged in positive activities.

If this describes your experience, you may benefit from treatments that focus on retraining the brain and managing the emotional and psychological aspects of chronic pain.

Commitpsychology.co.uk - Help with Health

Commit Psychology Commit Psychology is a Psychological Service run by Simon Neal, Consultant Clinical Psychologist