(no subject)

[andrewducker]

New LJ-Friend eduard_green has a piece up about depression that I thought was interesting.  Here's a quote, but you should read the whole thing:

This analogy relates well to certain kinds of mental illnesses, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, where the simplified concept of how the illness started as something simple that made you feel good- like keeping the house tidy or losing a little weight- makes sense. But it is harder to explain why anyone would take these things to the extreme where it was crippling their whole life and making them miserable.

Self-destructive behaviour only looks destructive; for the individual, although it may be damaging them physically and mentally, there is something there they are getting a kick out of. Otherwise, there would be no reason to do it. They might not know what they are getting out of it, their behaviour might baffle them. They might desperately want to stop but still find themselves returning again and again to the tried and tested system of feeling ok. Without something to replace it, and an understanding of why it was there, it’s near impossible to recover from neurotic behaviour.

Comments

[trav28.livejournal.com]

Interesting - I agree with most of this except for the last part

*it’s near impossible to recover from neurotic behaviour*

But then again, symptoms may just lie dormant - only to return years later with a venegeance. I think the issues are more deep rooted and "hard wired" in, especially if a trauma occurs during childoohd or early teens - the patterns can become so entrenched that it's almost impossible to break them. You can dull them but never break them. I think the trick is to learn to live with them on a "give and take" basis and try to recognise when they stop being constructive and start to become destructive.

My 2p's worth there.

[nickys.livejournal.com]

Speaking as someone who has recovered from a phobia of the "Grandstand" theme tune (there is a good reason, honest, but it's a long story...), and who is working on getting over a fear of dogs, it's difficult, but nowhere near impossible.
Takes time, and support too, but like any learned behaviour, it can be changed.

[trav28.livejournal.com]

Very very true :)

I agree learned behaviour can be changed - most strength comes from within and it's a case of tapping into that.

Greatest of luck dealing with your fear of dogs and congratulations on dealing with your previous phobia!

[green-amber.livejournal.com]

Fear of dogs is LOGICAL - they're domesticated wolves!! Big teeth = bad!

[nickys.livejournal.com]

Yes, but they smell fear, so if you're scared they're more likely to attack you. :-(

[eduard-green.livejournal.com]

Did you mean to take that bit out of context, or did you mean the whole last sentence? I didn't mean it was near impossible to recover, but that it is near impossible to recover without understanding, insight.

[trav28.livejournal.com]

That's what I meant really - insight is necessary to overcome adversity. Distance too. IMHO, if you're too attached to the problem/causes you may not be able to see them for what they are.

Anyway, excuse my ramblings/poor informed opinions. I'm in the midst of a struggle with my particular "demons" at the moment and am desperately trying to find balance with them.

[eduard-green.livejournal.com]

I thought that was what you meant :) Good luck with sorting out the demons.