Posted by Ilene on March 29, 2004, at 9:08:11
In reply to Re: Unsolicited rage-now how can I control it?, posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 27, 2004, at 22:59:18
> Thanks, JYL, Susan and Ilene. I honestly wasn't expecting replies. I still haven't come down from it all the way, but what you said helps.
>
> So do any of you or anyone else have any anger management advice? Or any advice for the qoute below?
>
> "The thing about work is that I'm always dysphoric. Every person that comes through the door is a potential problem. I know these feelings are absurd but I can't help it."
>I certainly feel dsyphoric most of the time, and most events are potential problems. Risperdal helps with my irritability, but I never had a problem with rage. Dysphoria just comes and goes.
I fall into the same trap of thinking my feelings are absurd. I would prefer to feel differently about certain things, but telling myself that my feelings are absurd only leads to feelings of guilt over my "absurd" feelings, which in turn sets up a vicious cycle.
I got a certain amount of help from "Feeling Good" when I read it years and years ago. For me it clarified the "absurdity" of my expectations of other people. IMO it's most useful for people who are only mildly depressed, but it can be a good "reality check". I'm sure you can get it from the library. However, AFAIK CBT (including Feeling Good and similar books) doesn't address the emotion dysregulation common to people with BPD (and some other conditions). I don't think it does well with GAD either. Identifying what is causing my anxiety, and the consequences of doing whatever it is that I'm afraid of, does nothing to quell the anxiety.
In a previous post I mentioned DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), which was developed by Marsha Linehan. Look up her "Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder" on Amazon and look at what "Customers who bought this book also bought". Some of those books might be more self-help oriented, and you can probably badger your local library into getting them thru inter-library loan, as Fallsfall pointed out.
(Libraries don't really like ILL, but they are supposed to do it. Also, if there is a state college or university in your area you should be able to use the library, even if you can't check out books.)
Oskarsmom mentioned the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance:
http://www.dbsalliance.org/
They have support groups around the country.
There's also DRADA--the Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association--which I think does the same:
http://www.drada.org/Good luck, Mr. Psychobabble Utah, and keep us posted.
I.
poster:Ilene
thread:328941
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040324/msgs/329772.html