I am reading a lot lately. I particularly am focused on the works of Melody Beattie. In her her bookFind Your Way Home: a Soul Survival Kit, she talks about, among other things, the beginnings and endings of thins in our lives. I relate this especially to jobs.
"Ending and rebirth - new beginnings - are an ongoing part of life. ... Learn to recognize when the lesson is learned and our time with a parson or in a particular place is over. Then pack your bags and leave. Get all the pieces and spiritual insights that you went there to learn. Ask. You'll receive all the help that you need. ... Finish your business in each situation, so you won't have to go back there again. ... Sometimes when we believe lies long enough, we forget that we really know the truth."
I recommend everyone reading at least one of her books. There are portions of this book that I felt I knew already or really didn't apply to me, but the vast majority of it does apply. Don't forget her name - Melody Beatie. You can check out her website; here's a link: http://www.melodybeattie.com/
Showing posts with label mental health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mental health. Show all posts
Monday, November 24, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Looking at Depression
I am a mental health advocate. According to Wikipedia.com, mental health is described as, “… either a level of cognitive or emotional wellbeing or an absence of a mental disorder. …mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience. Using this definition, one could say that mental health is directly related to a person’s happiness. Many people do not want to admit that they have a mental health problem or don’t know where to turn. In addition to discussing my own journey, I will be addressing other aspects of the mental health continuum.
When your mental health is out of balance, you may begin to feel down or depressed. It is not uncommon for people to feel this way on a short term basis. However, when this feeling does not leave or begins to impair day to day function, it becomes more serious. If the level of sadness is such that it does not go away after a period of time, a person is said to be depressed. Again, referring to Wikipedia.com, “Major depressive disorder, also known as major depression, unipolar depression, unipolar disorder, clinical depression, or simply depression, is a mental disorder characterized by a pervasive low mood and loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities.”
It is at this point a person should seek professional help. There is quite a variety in assistance. If you seek help from a therapist, there are many to choose from. Anyone can use the term therapist, so the things to look for are education and references. There are social workers and licensed clinical social workers. A therapist would then have a degree like a masters in social work or psychology. My counselor has a doctorate degree in psychology, and is called Doctor, but has no medical training. His training is all mental health. My psychiatrist is a medical doctor and has advanced education in psychiatry. He, unlike my counselor, can prescribe medication.
When your mental health is out of balance, you may begin to feel down or depressed. It is not uncommon for people to feel this way on a short term basis. However, when this feeling does not leave or begins to impair day to day function, it becomes more serious. If the level of sadness is such that it does not go away after a period of time, a person is said to be depressed. Again, referring to Wikipedia.com, “Major depressive disorder, also known as major depression, unipolar depression, unipolar disorder, clinical depression, or simply depression, is a mental disorder characterized by a pervasive low mood and loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities.”
It is at this point a person should seek professional help. There is quite a variety in assistance. If you seek help from a therapist, there are many to choose from. Anyone can use the term therapist, so the things to look for are education and references. There are social workers and licensed clinical social workers. A therapist would then have a degree like a masters in social work or psychology. My counselor has a doctorate degree in psychology, and is called Doctor, but has no medical training. His training is all mental health. My psychiatrist is a medical doctor and has advanced education in psychiatry. He, unlike my counselor, can prescribe medication.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Therapy, Day 3
Surprisingly, getting ready for therapy and getting there wasn't an ordeal today. I didn't sleep well the previous night, even with taking Ambien CR. I am tired and edgy; I am functioning in a numb mode. I arrive at therapy, log in, and find I am exhausted. I don 't want to participate, but force myself to do so.
I have an epiphany while talking about my issues. I am so used to thinking that I am not worthy, that I don't love myself. How then can I give to anyone else? One of the therapists talks about how loving yourself allows you to give so much more to others. Have I ever been in this place she speaks of? I don't know. I am certainly not there now. I feel I don't have anything to give. It is exhausting to function as a wife and mother, much less do anything else. I have to leave therapy early to take Patrick to a counseling appointment, and I am thrilled when the time rolls around to leave. I am tired of being tired. Therapy hurts -- I have to face issues that I have stuffed down my whole life. I know I have to face these issues. i have to heal. I am growing old. Today is not the day to move forward, and I don't. Today, I just exist.
I have an epiphany while talking about my issues. I am so used to thinking that I am not worthy, that I don't love myself. How then can I give to anyone else? One of the therapists talks about how loving yourself allows you to give so much more to others. Have I ever been in this place she speaks of? I don't know. I am certainly not there now. I feel I don't have anything to give. It is exhausting to function as a wife and mother, much less do anything else. I have to leave therapy early to take Patrick to a counseling appointment, and I am thrilled when the time rolls around to leave. I am tired of being tired. Therapy hurts -- I have to face issues that I have stuffed down my whole life. I know I have to face these issues. i have to heal. I am growing old. Today is not the day to move forward, and I don't. Today, I just exist.
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