Posted by Larry Hoover on October 25, 2004, at 11:13:37
In reply to Re: model » Larry Hoover, posted by gardenergirl on October 24, 2004, at 14:10:31
> Hi Larry,
> I like how you modelled that, using intepretation rather than thinking. I think the thinking that CBT uses is what always loses me, as I think there is much to how we react to events than thoughts.
>
> Mind if I steal your model? :)
>
> ggUpon further reflection, I realize that the basic form of my model is in fact a borrowed one. I have no idea just how, or to what extent, I have modified it.
There is another technique I find useful, also taught to me, but one which I do not find in the literature. If I am not mistaken about what it is called, it's a narrative dialogue.
At the outset, I'd like to say that this is not about hearing voices, or multiple personalities, it's about recognizing the various sources of the internal dialogues that we all have.
The idea is to picture yourself as the chairperson at a meeting. At the table are a variety of spokespersons, of all sorts. In my case, there is the voice of depression (a very distorted voice it is). There's the voice of addiction (temptation without adverse effects....as if). There's my mom (sort of, but the things she said as I grew up still echo). My dad. The voice of social norms. The inner critic. (Why can't I just learn from mistakes, without reliving the pain and embarassment?) The voice of pure logic. The intuitive voice. The voice of my spirit. (This one never raises its voice above a whisper, so it must be quiet at the table, for it to be heard.) And so on. You may have a very different ensemble.
As chairperson, though, you have some control over which voice "has the floor". Some control, and this improves with practise. I now recognize that depression does not speak for the real me. The inner critic is really a hurtful sort. Etc. It helps me to separate out the voices which are helping me to adapt, to cope, from those that keep me mired in the mud, or down in the hole.
I've found this approach to be very useful. I try to shout down the inner critic within my own head, but occasionally I vocalize, perhaps out of frustration. I do recall an incident at a shopping mall, near Christmas (so it was packed packed packed), and I vocalized "Shut up!" really loud, speaking to my inner critic. Well, I was walking alone at the time.....it was like Moses parting the Red Sea. Heh.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:406263
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20041016/msgs/407010.html