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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Partlycloudy on June 13, 2014, at 18:19:38
And that is alright by me. Therapy, medication, trying different volunteer positions and learning what I can; as long as I am not a drag on my marriage, is OK.
Self acceptance is much more important than being accepted by others. Who'd have thought?
One keeps you alive and ready to face another day. The other is a prison that can't be escaped.
Thank you, rehab.
Posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2014, at 18:32:57
In reply to I don't think I will ever be normal., posted by Partlycloudy on June 13, 2014, at 18:19:38
PC have you volunteered? I would like to I tell myself but reality is doing what? Phillipa
Posted by Partlycloudy on June 13, 2014, at 20:40:10
In reply to Re: I don't think I will ever be normal. » Partlycloudy, posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2014, at 18:32:57
Not yet but I am thinking being a part time cat lady, helping shelter cats become adoptable, is my speed.
(No people to interact with, either. I speak cat.)
Posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2014, at 20:50:47
In reply to Re: I don't think I will ever be normal., posted by Partlycloudy on June 13, 2014, at 20:40:10
Good idea. I speak small dog?
Posted by Partlycloudy on June 14, 2014, at 6:15:05
In reply to Re: I don't think I will ever be normal. » Partlycloudy, posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2014, at 20:50:47
There you go!
Posted by Angela2 on June 14, 2014, at 16:03:52
In reply to I don't think I will ever be normal., posted by Partlycloudy on June 13, 2014, at 18:19:38
Partly Cloudy, I'm happy for you that you are accepting you. That's what I strive for. I don't think I'm there yet. Maybe I'm close, I don't know. I am honest, to myself, I try to be. Which, in the past, was not always the case. So I'm proud of myself for that. Anyway, good job. Trying to please others is exhausting.
Posted by Partlycloudy on June 14, 2014, at 21:10:32
In reply to Re: I don't think I will ever be normal., posted by Angela2 on June 14, 2014, at 16:03:52
> Partly Cloudy, I'm happy for you that you are accepting you. That's what I strive for. I don't think I'm there yet. Maybe I'm close, I don't know. I am honest, to myself, I try to be. Which, in the past, was not always the case. So I'm proud of myself for that. Anyway, good job. Trying to please others is exhausting.
And good for you!! Nobody else needs to know. If you are true to yourself, you have won. Other peoples' judgement just muddy the waters.
Posted by Beckett on June 15, 2014, at 1:35:40
In reply to I don't think I will ever be normal., posted by Partlycloudy on June 13, 2014, at 18:19:38
>Thank you, rehab
Is this a realization from the rehab experience? I had thought rehab was an overall taxing if not negative experience. However you came to these realizations, congratulations :-)
Posted by Partlycloudy on June 15, 2014, at 8:42:07
In reply to Re: I don't think I will ever be normal., posted by Beckett on June 15, 2014, at 1:35:40
> >Thank you, rehab
>
> Is this a realization from the rehab experience? I had thought rehab was an overall taxing if not negative experience. However you came to these realizations, congratulations :-)Hi, Beckett.
I wasn't accepted as myself by anyone in rehab. Not by my peers; not by the counsellors; the management, nor the medical consultant. As much as they told me my mental health illnesses were "all in my head" and were like clouds passing in a clear blue sky, I became more self assured that treatment based on no science and without peer review nor evidence of success did not diminish what I have been able to achieve.That I had read more than half of the recommended reading on my own before admitting myself voluntarily, yet was poo-poo'd for my book learning, was also a lesson in reaffirming my instinct for seeking self evident truths.
Surprisingly (or not) the issue of drinking never came up once, except it is a choice. Duh. I knew, as I had relapsed from sobriety, that this was true. Time and distance was what helped me get the perspective I needed.
So with that, I thank rehab, for reminding me of my strengths and abilities.
Posted by Beckett on June 15, 2014, at 15:04:08
In reply to Re: I don't think I will ever be normal. » Beckett, posted by Partlycloudy on June 15, 2014, at 8:42:07
I think the idea that mental health issues are in one's head is seductive but often cruel. It's true or partially true in some cases and that's the strength of CBT and psychotherapy, etc. I was self-reaffirmed in my case because I needed to stand up for myself faced with some very unsound ideology. Besides, the medical staff was just nuts, and I saw first hand how needlessly ill a few people became because of facility's practices. They tried to force me to trade my once a day tramadol for suboxone which is pretty ridiculous. Why would I want something with a worse withdrawal than what I would have with tramadol? Because tramadol has an abuse potential, no matter how low, they wanted to switch. The woman across the hall who also needed pain medication was switched and she spent two days retching and a few more lying on the floor. She was elderly and there for her first alchohol related visit. I could go on and on, so I better stop :-)
Posted by Partlycloudy on June 15, 2014, at 15:47:39
In reply to Re: I don't think I will ever be normal., posted by Beckett on June 15, 2014, at 15:04:08
Yes, this place was as ill informed and misguided. So many clients WERE drug seeking, but also with real injuries that started the twisted path. I never saw any of the physical injuries treated - they were left, once weaned off their drugs, to live with their pain.
In my short time there, there were 5 re-admissions to the facility, each after having spent 8 weeks there initially. Very sad. Also an elderly man with slight dementia who was being sobered up to manage his deceased wife's estate for their granddaughters.
It felt unreal. Or real, rather, in a very cruel and mismanaged way.
This is the end of the thread.
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