Is that the kind of doctor who has no personal experience of difficulties ever in their lives, or the kind who should be on their own couch? Because there's only those two extreme categories of doctor, right?
There has to be those two stereotypes so we can get angry at them for not making everything better. Of course, the third category is the magician, if only we could find and afford them.
Prometheus, I agree there are issues, big, serious issues with regards to how society manages and values mental health, but there are also issues with how we manage and value mental health.
Hitting out at anybody and everybody may be a part of that process, but at some point we need to reflect on what we're doing and why in order to move beyond that.
You mentioned people not knowing how to go about creating change. Mindfulness, anxiety management, anger management, bereavement models, feeling rules and emotional work, self-actualisation, models of attachment - there is a wealth of stuff on the internet. Some are more complex and inaccessible than others which is why I put mindfullness first and attachment theory last, and it's by no means an exhaustive list.
One simple exercise: After interactions with others write down the answers to
What was I feeling? What was I thinking? How was I behaving? What does it remind me of?
I knew someone who took beta blockers for a six week period during a time of extreme stress (along with continuing talking therapy). This person had a history of anxiety and depression, but after taking the beta blockers, they appeared different.
It was like this person had remembered what it was like to be free from crippling anxiety.
I'm in no way trying to persuade you to go to your doctor, but if you do at some point in the future, you don't have to give up control to him, or her.
You can say your bit, your doctor says their bit, but what choices you make as a result of a consultation are yours alone.
By going to see a doctor, your are not committing yourself to a 'treatment' of that person's choice. Making an appointment is not legally binding. You can discuss options and go away and think about it. I'd like to think it might include options for grief counselling.
Prom, I'm sure Philipsen is more than capable of gathering information and making choices for himself.
We're just offering information from our varied experience, some of which will be personal, some educated, or professional. I imagine we all contributed because firstly he asked and secondly we're trying to offer some small support.
By criticising us, perhaps you're still pushing away, maybe out of habit. Perhaps that's something to reflect on.
It's such a small thing we're doing and we probably can't do much else but listen and post comments, but it's something. It would be nice for it to be viewed and valued for what it is.
I should have said thankyou to chat, java and M4 for filling me in, as well.
It's one thing reading stuff, but having explanations and perspectives from people living within the culture and current climate not only makes it clearer, but humanises the situation.
Cohen's admissions - is this to do with getting a reduced sentence and what you meant when you posed the question about how many more people will flip?
jac_the_gripper Blog Comments (2,986)
) and it may lead to other things.
RE: Dots what I see...
Green is 'online'.Grey is 'has been online today'.
No dot is 'offline for 24 hours, or more'.