Posted by Blue Cheer 1 on March 8, 2002, at 23:58:58
In reply to Re: Bravo! » Blue Cheer 1, posted by JohnX2 on March 8, 2002, at 3:07:08
>
> Blue Cheer,
>
> You are remarkable! What persistence!
> What give's you such inner strength?
> Were there significant emotional milestones?They're really nice compliments, John, but for the last 5 years or so, I've just been trying to hang on. The best thing I have going for me is my wife and two daughters (and two excellent psychiatrists). Raising children (as a full-time house husband) while struggling with bipolar depression was extremely difficult, but the psychic rewards were so gratifying. Without my wife, I would've been institutionalized - for sure.
>
> I'm a stubborn jerk; won't let silly illness
> get the better of me. Have to laugh at it to
> keep it from consuming me..not always that easy.That's a great outlook! I know I'm sick, too, but I just see it as a part of me, among many other parts. My favorite psychiatrist (retired in 1990), who I saw intermittently for many years, told me that my sense of humor helped me, too. He never mentioned a diagnosis or talked about the idea of my being "ill," and was an excellent psychotherapist. I always felt better when I left his office, and he was like a father figure to me. In fact, I've never been able to get motivated for psychotherapy since he retired, because I don't think anyone could be as good, and I'd always be comparing them to him. I tried CT/CBT twice, but there's no real relationship in that kind of therapy, I think, and for me the relationship was paramount.
>
> Fantastic.
> JohnThanks, and I'll bet your bright outlook and ability to laugh at yourself will be a boost to you over the years.
Blue
poster:Blue Cheer 1
thread:96853
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97139.html