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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KellyD on December 20, 2003, at 22:46:16
I am in the best shape emotionally than I have been in a long time and I'm grateful for that. However, am I the only one who feels, even in a recovering state, that their ability to really feel happines is forever diminished? Not gone, but very altered? The "high" is a lot lower than it was at one time?
Mine feels due to grief over a huge, traumatic loss 5 1/2 years ago more so than from my mental illness, but it is a a tangable thing to me - this lowered ability.
No amount of meds, therapy, whatever... feels like it will matter or has mattered. And, yes, I've tried and tried all measures of "stuff". So, I'm resigned and I'm as alright as I can be with it.
I'm I just weird?
Thanks for reading my ramblings to those who took the time.
Kelly
Posted by Dinah on December 21, 2003, at 1:24:44
In reply to Ability for feeling Happiness?, posted by KellyD on December 20, 2003, at 22:46:16
I feel the same way. It's especially noticeable at this time of year, which used to be my especially happy time. Now I have more reason to be happy and less ability to feel it.
Sigh.
I wish I knew the answer.
Posted by Emme on December 21, 2003, at 13:06:01
In reply to Ability for feeling Happiness?, posted by KellyD on December 20, 2003, at 22:46:16
> However, am I the only one who feels, even in a recovering state, that their ability to really feel happines is forever diminished? Not gone, but very altered? The "high" is a lot lower than it was at one time?
I was just thinking about it this week. I laugh if something is very funny. But I cannot conceive of feeling *real* joy again, or any kind of lasting contentment, or feeling of safety for that matter. Perhaps I'm not in recovery as much as I hoped I was.
> Mine feels due to grief over a huge, traumatic loss 5 1/2 years ago more so than from my mental illness, but it is a a tangable thing to me - this lowered ability.
> No amount of meds, therapy, whatever... feels like it will matter or has mattered.I understand. I feel grief from something that happened 12 years ago, and much as I have tried in therapy, I haven't been able to really get past it. It's added what seems to be a permanent component of sadness to my world.
> I'm I just weird?
No, you're not. I wondered if I was a bit weird this way. Sounds like I have some company. And as Dinah pointed out, this time of year makes things harder and sadder.
Have you read the Harry Potter books? Maybe we've been attacked by dementors.
Hugs to you and to everyone.
Emme
Posted by KellyD on December 21, 2003, at 17:04:29
In reply to Re: Ability for feeling Happiness? » KellyD, posted by Emme on December 21, 2003, at 13:06:01
"I understand. I feel grief from something that happened 12 years ago, and much as I have tried in therapy, I haven't been able to really get past it. It's added what seems to be a permanent component of sadness to my world."
~I think that is the real key for mine. The explanation of my therapist (the one that made the most sense), was in some way I probably felt holding on to this piece of sadness that impaired my happiness, was a way to keep her "real, alive(?), close" for me. Not really a protracted grief response but something hardwired in me, now.
Anyway, I wish it was different, but it doesn't "feel" changable to me. It's not horrible, but true joy feels unreachable.
Prehaps the dementor's theory IS true!!
Thanks for making me feel less alone with this.
Kelly
This is the end of the thread.
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