Posted by bookgurl99 on November 20, 2002, at 2:02:21
In reply to I hate my oldself and my former Doctors, posted by wharfrat on November 12, 2002, at 12:24:29
#1. Forgive yourself.
It's not all your fault. While I hate to take all responsibility away from those of us with mental illnesses, remember that your illness caused a lot of your previous behavior. You probably actually used what self control you had to keep from seriously hurting somebody or yourself in all those years.#2 Grieve the past.
If you have to. It sounds like your sad about those wasted years. Unfortunately, you don't have control over that time period. Let if go and focus on what you can change, today.#3 Change for the better, for you and your family.
Now that you have some balance, you can do things for yourself -- maybe a better job, or just new habits -- that can help you to like and get to know your new self.Luckily, your kids can't leave. They have years with you. I had a parent who, due to a necessary medication, had enormous mood swings. I forgave her for some of the mean things she said when I was a kid, and to be honest, if she had stopped saying some of those cruel things by my adulthood, I would have almost forgotten it by now.
So, good luck. I'm glad you're doing so much better. Take that energy and run with it, okay?bookgurl99
poster:bookgurl99
thread:32132
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021106/msgs/32530.html