Posted by Mark H. on October 11, 2000, at 10:16:35
Pritzker,
Please tell us more about yourself. While we all have extensive personal opinions on issues and other people, the most important things we can share here are our personal experiences with mental health and illness, our struggles to find wholeness and wellness. Through the process of self-revelation, the feedback we elicit becomes more useful and supportive.
Many of us "tell our story" on this board as a way of introducing ourselves and giving some background to what we have experienced: things like our age, relationship status, education, work experience, significant events of our lives so far, the diagnoses we have received from care-providers, and what treatments we have tried, whether medications, types of therapy, hospitalizations, or alternatives such as exercise, meditation, improvement in diets or spiritual disciplines. By sharing our experiences and values, we not only benefit from offering intimacy but also from receiving compassion from others who may have had similiar experiences and, thus, useful advice to offer.
It is tempting to "diagnose" you based on what you have shared thus far, but that would be a disservice to you. Better for you to tell us more about who you are and what support you need than for us to guess what might help.
Also, different people answer at different speeds. Some readers will think about your postings for several days and carefully read everyone else's responses before considering whether they have anything useful to add to what has already been said. Others may feel that they have nothing positive to offer, but will still hold you in their hearts.
The more you can say directly about "you," the better the quality of feedback you will receive from others. Please remember that almost everyone who visits this board is in pain, and however skillful some may seem, we are always the wounded talking among ourselves. From this exchange great growth is possible, and the compassion and understanding offered is frequently better than we may receive from even the most talented therapists.
When asking for advice, it is also wise to follow it when you can, not to abandon your own sense of direction, but to try new things to see if they help. Would you consider opening your heart to Dr. T? I think she would be very interested in what you have written here, and if she is a good therapist, knowing more about your inner process will help her to understand you and assist you more skilfully in your growth.
I think I've now said all I wish to say, and I will hold you in my thoughts.
Very best wishes,
Mark H.
poster:Mark H.
thread:971
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20001011/msgs/971.html