General Chat

len,when i was studying medicine,i read a few books by dr claire week's,as i found her writing relaxing...but she really knew about mental health issues. bryan.

Lady Liberty I, too, have Carl Rogers on my bookshelves. A bit old-hat now, he's been there at least 15 years. Used to be obligatory reading. Is it still? I doubt if many will understand the jargon- except a counsellor or someone in the business. len

You know, im not unhappy, many who have met me will say that.......but, im not myself right now. Yes im on tablets.....are they working? Not so far. Where do i go or what do i do next???? I dont know really. I do know, im getting on my own nerves. Donna x

A safe environment is what is needed to enable the development of an emotionally well balanced human being. This is both necessary and sufficient in all and therapeutic relationships! The core conditions: As facilitated by Carl R Rogers. 1 Empathy 2 Congruence 3 Unconditional Positive Regard Lib

wonderful thread len....thank you. bryan.

No one escapes depression. A great many people get depressed, however briefly, at some time in their lives. You may never get depressed, but some of the people close to you will. One person in five will suffer clinical depression requiring medical or other intervention. The experience of depression can be the very worst experience you have ever had. It can also be the source of acquiring wisdom. Nowadays people often talk about “getting depressed” when what they are talking about is not depression but unhappiness or disappointment or anger or guilt. Anyone who has been depressed will know that it is totally different from unhappiness. When you’re unhappy, people around you can comfort, sustain and warm you with their love and sympathy. When you are depressed, you can observe the people around you being sympathetic and supportive but somehow their sympathy and love never gets through the barrier that surrounds you, and you are powerless to fix it. Those who say “pull yourself together” are as thick as a rhino and just as damaging. When you’re unhappy, even if no one else will comfort you can comfort yourself, give yourself little treats and cheer yourself up but when you’re depressed, not only will you not be able to comfort yourself but you will even make things worse. You become your own worst enemy and feel the world is against you. The colour has drained out of life and an invisible, impenetrable barrier isolates you from the rest of the word. The experience of being depressed is being utterly alone. I have been there. Quite often depression passes after about six months but may require medical intervention in the way of anti-depressants. Statistics show that patients treated with anti-depressants may relapse after a time and need further treatment but those who receive psychiatric care or counseling (or both) rarely succumb again. The old adage “strongest in the broken places” holds good. Those who can make use of even the most unpleasant experiences and use them to their advantage are the most likely to lead a full and happy life. You can discover that your life story and the world as you see it are not fixed in stone but something you have constructed and, since you constructed them, you can change them – with a bit of help from someone who understands. .