Bronwyn
Well-Known Member
jorats said:Same here... and whatever you learn, pass it on here.
Well, I don't know how useful this is, but I'll pass it along anyway. This therapist worked with me when I was sixteen, up until I turned eighteen and was well enough to live a pretty normal life. One's supposed to "maintain" their healthy state by seeing other therapists/counsellors (I moved - went to university!) which I did but they were all pretty clueless, so I've returned to her as I'm conveniently back in Toronto for the summer.
Anyway! Because she's seen me for so long, I think she's using the harsh method now. Or she got bitter as she got older. I like structure, and I know the tools to battle this thing. So really all that's needed is for me to be taught how to apply them again.
Homework!
Day 1: Walk one block with the dog, twice.
Day 2: Walk two blocks with the dog, twice.
And so on. This discounts all feeling. Even if I'm feeling like I could keep going, I'm to return home. So that's what I've been doing since last week. The bottom line is I need to kick really, really hard because this type of emotional disorder only gets worse. So whatever "challenge" I'm faced with, I'm not allowed to shy away from it (unless it's a hurdle that's pretty far down the line).
I don't know how applicable this would be to just anyone who experiences anxiety because I recall her being extremely gentle with me in the beginning, and very sympathetic, and letting me give in to it if it was really bad. This doesn't apply anymore!
So there ya go. I hope it's helpful. It seems like common sense, because it is. Anxiety's really illogical to give into, so fight with logic, thinking things like, "I'm physically perfectly capable of walking from this building to that one." and ending it there.