I can’t count the number of times I heard, or read: « I really don’t know why I am so depressed / anxious / in pain ; I was raised by a loving, ordinary family and nothing terrible ever happened to me; the problem is just me”. Or another slightly different version “ I really don’t know why I am so depressed / anxious / in pain; I know my father had quite a temper (read he was physically abusive), or people in my family really knew how to party (read I was brought up in an alcoholic environment),...
Posts Tagged ‘ Recovery ’
Healing the shame that binds you
Healing the Shame that Binds You, from John Bradshaw, is considered a recovery classic with good reason. It’s a powerful book, one that can really help you in your journey towards emotional health. Unhealthy shame, as Bradshaw defines it, is basically thinking you are flawed and defective as a human being. Nothing you can do, be it extraordinarily impressive or terrible, will change that fact. The problem is who you are. As such, it is different from guilt, which allows you to recognize you have done something wrong and pushes you to make amends. With shame, there is nothing you...
Good self help books do help
Pretty early, I realized I was not feeling well. Something was wrong with me, but I had no clue what it was. I had this fantasy that things would sort themselves out (and by things, I mean me), when I would have a good partner, a good job, friends, some money, and interesting adventures. I worded hard to obtain all these things, and being the obstinate person that I am, I did. Problem was: I was not feeling any better. In fact, I remember feeling life was being painful and difficult, even though everything was ok from the outside. ...
Depression…or life is a bitch and then you die
Depression is not a pleasant, trendy topic you save for cocktail parties. It is a very real problem for lots of people nevertheless. It definitely has been a serious problem for me. The formal criteria (taken from the DSM IV) for major depression include a depressed mood or a loss of interest in ordinary activities for at least two weeks, accompanied by at least four of the following symptoms: Significant weight loss or gain Insomnia or hypersomnia Activity levels slow down or increase Fatigue or loss of energy Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt Diminished ability to think, concentrate...