New YouTube Video: The Seven F’s: How We Accidentally Keep Pain and Symptoms Going
- Dr. Ingela Thuné-Boyle
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
In this video, I explore Dr. Howard Schubiner's concept of the Seven F's - Fear, Focus, Fighting, Figuring Out, Fixing, Frustration, and Forlornness - and explain how these common and entirely understandable reactions to chronic pain and persistent physical symptoms can sometimes unintentionally contribute to keeping symptoms going. While these responses are natural attempts to cope with distressing symptoms, they can also reinforce the brain's perception that the body remains under threat.
I discuss how the brain and nervous system are constantly evaluating safety and danger, and how reactions such as fear, symptom monitoring, searching for explanations, and continually trying to eliminate symptoms can increase the brain's focus on potential threat. Over time, these patterns may contribute to a nervous system that remains in a protective state, making symptoms more persistent.
The video also explores why these reactions are not signs of weakness or failure, but normal human responses to frightening and often unpredictable symptoms. Understanding this can help reduce self-blame and provide a more compassionate way of viewing the challenges of living with chronic pain, fatigue, dizziness, digestive problems, and other persistent physical symptoms.
Finally, I discuss how recovery is not about ignoring symptoms or forcing yourself to "think positively." Instead, it involves gradually changing your relationship with symptoms, reducing the brain's perception of danger, and helping the nervous system relearn safety. For many people with neuroplastic pain, mind-body syndromes, and other persistent symptoms, this shift can become an important part of the recovery process.
Whether you're living with persistent symptoms yourself, supporting someone who is, or working as a healthcare professional, I hope this video provides a helpful framework for understanding how common coping responses can sometimes maintain symptoms, and how breaking this cycle may help support recovery.
Watch the video below. 👇
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Dr. Ingela Thuné-Boyle provides specialized online coaching for adults living with chronic illness, chronic pain, persistent physical symptoms, and mind-body syndromes. She helps people better understand their symptoms, develop effective self-management skills, and improve their quality of life. A UK Chartered & Practitioner Health Psychologist (HCPC) and Doctor in Behavioural Medicine with over 25 years of experience, she brings an evidence-based understanding of the psychological, behavioural, and physiological factors that influence health and wellbeing to her coaching. Learn more about her background [here] and her coaching approach [here].
📩 Contact: For coaching or other enquiries, you can contact her at info@ingelathuneboyle.com.
Please note: Advice given in this blog is not meant to take the place of coaching, therapy or any other professional advice. The opinions and views offered by the author is not intended to treat or diagnose, nor is it intended to replace the treatment and care that you may be receiving from a licensed physician or mental health provider. The author is not responsible for the outcome or results following their information and advice on this blog.
