Posted by SLS on October 13, 2000, at 18:33:22
In reply to Re: to Scott, posted by coral on October 13, 2000, at 16:41:42
Dear Coral,
Thanks for posting this.
> Dear Scott,
> My personal experience is with severe clinical depression.
You're right that depression is a catch-all phrase for many disorders. I also would like to clarify that my comments concerning distorted thoughts were specifically for that type of depression and we have no disagreement that there are distortions in a depressed person's thinking and perhaps we're discussing whether a depressed person is capable of rational thought and accurate perceptions. I believe the answer is "yes." Given that, the difficulty is in determining which thoughts are distortions and which are accurate perceptions.I totally agree with you.
I just want to include here a quote from one of my previous posts that may have been overlooked.
"It would be extreme to take the position that depression de facto precludes the ability to produce appropriate decisions."
One problem with using the word "distortion" is that it might seem to some people to pejoritively indicate great magnitude or extreme pathology. Although it is probably the most appropriate word to use generically, perhaps it can be substituted with the word "influences".
> I would also hate to think that the power of this message board is such that it could be a deciding or even influencing factor in a life-continuing decision.
I always try to act under the assumption that it is. It's safer that way. I sometimes feel constrained by this, but I personally feel that posting on this particular board, Psycho-Babble, given its audience primarily looking for guidance and its presumed goals of helping rather than hurting, bears some responsibity. Pretentious, I know. I don't always succeed.
> the therapy helped me to accept the accurate perceptions and rebuild my life based on a foundation of self-truth rather than denial and rationalization.
This is wonderful. What an inspiration! I agree with Shar regarding this perspective.
It sounds like you are on your way towards self-actualization. :-)
I'm glad for you.
See ya'- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:42903
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46294.html