| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| jonnieboy |
Posted - 05/25/2011 : 14:42:13
Hi
I posted here in November and reported that I was happy to finally be free from pain and obsession of pain. After a short period of pain in January I have not experienced any of my symptoms for a couple of months. With that said, I can not say that I am happy or healed. Now I experience more of ups and downs with anxiety and depression. But as long as I had pain I made no "progress" in life, saw no way forward. Now I really deal with my problems without the protection/distraction that the pain gave me and I think I have started to accept myself, my thoughts and especially my feelings.
It is so obvious that I have avoided feelings and tried to control them, been afraid that they would harm me. Now I realize that they can only harm me if a try to control them, by letting them be there they will finally decrease. And bad thoughts I just consider as a radio channel in my head with bad news that I just ignore, only thoughts, not truths. For each time I learn this I come a step closer to changing important things in my life. And this is the key. I should learn not only to accept my thought and feelings, I should also start acting towards a "better life" according to my own values. This is only possible when I can endure the attacks of unwanted feelings and let go of them.
I have been to psychodynamic therapy for three years and the standard answer from my therapist is that i am to hard on myself and he asks where my anger / aggression is?? I understand his point but this is not enough for me.
Now I read about ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) in the book "The happiness trap". I like it a lot and think that I should switch to ACT therapist now. It seems like a "complete", logical and realistic therapy that takes into account how to deal with thoughts and feelings by letting them go and then focuses on acting towards a meningful life in line with your personal values.
Does anyone have a comment on ACT I would be happy. |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| austini |
Posted - 05/26/2011 : 16:12:34
Yes, the Happiness Trap is a great book. But as mentioned it is essentially an implementation of mindfulness in a somewhat more therapeutic guise. However I believe that 1 - 2 "formal" meditation sessions a day are critical in addition to "informal" mindfulness practice.
Gordon |
| Javizy |
Posted - 05/26/2011 : 07:17:18
It sounds similar to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). I was reading about that, but since I'd been practising mindfulness for two weeks prior, it didn't seem very helpful. I suppose people need fancy names to try something closely associated with religion and spirituality. I think I'll give The Happiness Trap a read anyway, since I like to hear different perspectives.
If you haven't tried meditation, I'd recommend starting to practise at least 15-minutes a day. It's essentially the formal practice of mindfulness, so when you're trying to be mindful during your day, your skills will be much stronger if you have meditation experience. Check out the website audiodharma if you want some guided meditations and tips on practising. |
| Darko |
Posted - 05/25/2011 : 21:07:07
Hi Jonnie,
I bang on about this stuff constantly....people must think I am some sort of crackpot. Happiness trap is one of the best...if not the best book I have ever read. Negative thoughts lead to negative feelings....which we can't or don't want to experience......which leads to TMS...period!
When I start having and buying into negative rubbish in my mind the pain comes. I still get negative thoughts, but I don't focus on them, I focus on the positive and man does it make a difference to my life.
Read it, re-read it and hit it hard.....you'll be a happier person I promise you. The mind will try to confuse you and resist your efforts because it will no longer be "in power" so to speak. Don't take any crap from it.....command it, and make sure you talk to yourself when ever you can to make sure you focusing on the good stuff. Allow the bad stuff to float past and focus on the good thoughts.
D |
| wrldtrv |
Posted - 05/25/2011 : 19:53:50
I read "The Happiness Trap" about a year ago and I remember thinking it made a lot of sense, but of course, the practicing of the ideas and techniques is the hard part. I find that simply practicing meditation and mindfulness works a little better for me. The objective in ACT or mindfulness is really the same; to let random thoughts flow through you without feeling you have to believe them or do anything about them. |
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