Posted by Dinah on April 30, 2009, at 11:03:39
In reply to Has therapy made you happier?, posted by Tabitha on April 30, 2009, at 1:57:45
I found that analysis of DBT results fascinating. It's got such a great success rate. But they measure that by functioning. The self report of how they feel showed less impressive results.
I figure that what therapy does is help us keep from setting traps for ourselves, getting in the way of our own happiness. Maybe encouraging us to do things that would increase our subjective happiness.
Happiness is an elusive goal, though. And I'm not sure that therapy has the reach necessary to contribute directly to that.
On the other hand, I think I'd answer sort of. In that I understand more why I do the things I do, and maybe even get a glimmer of why others do the things they do. My therapist uses a lot of eastern philosophy, though I'm not sure he'd put it like that. I think I've learned to let things go more, and to accept my limitations.
But happiness... Well, that's a tough one. The general wisdom says that it doesn't come from exterior circumstances. That we can't wait for xxx in order to be happy. I'm not sure that's realistic for all that many of us though. I know I have no particular natural talent for happiness. It does matter to my happiness that I have things in my life that bring something to my life.
Do you have things in life that bring you joy? Or contentment? Or interest? Or amusement? Are there ways you can use your better adjustment to help you find those things in your life?
poster:Dinah
thread:893533
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090421/msgs/893564.html