Have you heard of the Nocebo Effect?
This is the opposite of a placebo.
It is a very powerful effect for some people. Especially those with anxiety.
The Nocebo Effect can be influenced by many sources.
The Nocebo Effect works like this. You may respond exactly the way you were told that some people respond to a particular situation, medicine or treatment. If you hadn’t been told that information you may not have had the same experience.
Listen in or read on below for three ways the Nocebo Effect may be influencing your outcomes in your health and your life.
Media
The media which includes social media, news, videos, etc. has been huge in predicting how someone may react to certain treatments, illnesses and diseases.
You can find any answer you want in the media. Negative or positive. What should you believe?
Unfortunately, if you hear something enough times you believe it.
If you suffer from anxiety or depression, you may go quickly to the negative outcome.
What I know to be true is everyone is uniquely designed by God and will respond to treatments, illnesses and diseases also uniquely.
So, there is never a 100% accurate prediction of how someone will respond.
Don’t listen to the media! They often create fear! Arm yourself with your own research.
Question, learn and discover what is true.
Physicians and Doctors
From the very beginning as a child, you were probably told to believe and trust your physicians and doctors. And I am not telling you that you shouldn’t.
Doctors and physicians only know what they were taught in medical school and they may not have the time to do their own research with their heavy load of patients.
So, they may only have one answer.
This answer may not be the only answer or the best solution for you since you are uniquely made.
One size does not fit all when it comes to healing.
There are stories of doctors telling their patients they will die in 3 months from the cancer they have. Go home and prepare for this.
Nocebo Effect would be the patient goes home and gets their things in order and dies 3 months later. This story is not made up and has really happened many times.
Then there are those that say. No! I don’t believe that I will die in 3 months and they find alternative ways to heal. And many do.
Another true example is a patient was given a placebo (a sugar pill) unknowingly but told they may experience all the symptoms of the actual medication. Guess what?
They experienced all the symptoms from a sugar pill.
Be careful what you listen to and believe for your health and your life!
Friends, Family and Others
Your friends, family and other people you talk with may believe they have your best interest in mind.
They may give unsolicited advice. They may tell you things to do or not do because they feel that it is the best thing to do.
If you are a parent you probably experienced this with even complete strangers off the street telling you what you should do with your child.
They may not be in your same situation. People can’t say what they will really do until they are faced with that same situation.
What others say to you can create fear in you and make you doubt your decisions.
Even so, you are a unique individual and through prayer, research and questioning you can find the solutions that are best for you.
You may need to distance yourself from these people during your healing journey so that you can confidently take the steps you feel are best for you.
Your mind is very powerful! What you believe is very powerful!
Don’t believe everything you hear.
What you think and believe can be very instrumental to your outcome.
You are a unique individual created by God in Heaven. Only He knows to the second when you will die.
Intuitively you know what is best for you. Tap into God and listen. He will guide you.
Let me know in the comments below. Have you ever heard of or experienced the Nocebo Effect?
I know it can be overwhelming! Need someone to talk to? Please reach out.
Let me know in the comments below or shoot me an
email - sheri@empoweredhealthcoaching.com I would love to hear.
Live life empowered!
Stress and overwhelm may keep you from making decisions that are right for your unique body! Here's a free guide to help you reduce stress: 5 Tips to Reduce Your Stress
Sheri Johnson is a certified Transformational Holistic Health and Life Coach in the Central Florida area. She believes everyone deserves an amazing healthy, balanced life, full of energy and feeling fantastic! When you get back on track in life and feel like yourself again then you can easily step into who you truly want to be, living out your purpose, passion and what you were called here to do.
If you are ready to decrease stress and overwhelm while creating balance in your body, mind and spirit then please check out her website and book a free strategy session with her below.