Posted by Quintal on August 26, 2008, at 17:13:51
In reply to Re: Identity disturbance » Quintal, posted by susan47 on August 25, 2008, at 18:26:46
Hi Susan,
I like to view the problem from a spiritual point of view. From that perspective a lack of identity or individual personality isn't a problem. In Buddhism for example the self is said to be an illusion - more or less a pattern of habitual/conditioned behaviours and ways of perceiving the world. The goal of spiritual practice is to reveal the true self that 'ego' obscures. So people that have little sense of self or fixed identity might be at an advantage here. I don't really know what ego is. I'm a very egoistic person yet have no sense of self. So still some work to be done there. This is one the conflicts in therapy - she wants to build up what I think should be broken down even further. Maybe the monastery is the best place for me.
To answer your other questions: I'm 26, have't worked for two years. I get a disability allowance for bipolar disorder, and as I T says, that is what makes up my identity at the moment. Yes, I would still be me if my family disappeared... Before I had the bipolar label and the benfits I had even less sense of identity than I do now. I have felt much better since then. I would be very depressed if they were taken away from me. Borderlines do complain about chronic feelings of emptiness. Human contact is supposed to fill the void, at least for a while.
Q
poster:Quintal
thread:847879
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20080826/msgs/848459.html