Posted by Dinah on October 6, 2008, at 8:39:44
In reply to Re: My therapist says I'm being self destructive.... » JayMac, posted by obsidian on October 4, 2008, at 20:49:29
My therapist sometimes thinks things are destructive that I think are relatively harmless coping skills while ignoring things I do that cause me serious trouble. Because the latter are socially more acceptable. (Eating, sleeping, or spending too much for example)
You know best what impact this has on your life. If you're self medicating for anxiety or depression, is this form of medication more harmful to your life than psychiatrist administered medication? Is it interfering with your productivity, your relationships, etc?
I think there's a tension there. We can see harmful coping skills more from the side of coping skills - things that help us get through the day. While they can see them as things that harm our lives. I'm not sure if that's "self destructive" though, if the intent is to survive or endure pain.
Do you think he'd be open to your reframing it as a coping skill that fills a need and causes harm, and then calmly weigh the two sides, and consider alternatives?
poster:Dinah
thread:855663
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20081005/msgs/855995.html