Posted by Purple on February 10, 1999, at 3:35:11
In reply to Re: Doc. Bob,looking for some a success story!!!!!, posted by Tess on February 5, 1999, at 4:39:01
> I think my point may have been missed. I feel there is a great deal I can do to help my depression with diet, exercise, meditation etc. But I do not feel like a failure because my brain chemistry is off big time and I cannot "will" it to change. I suffered a lot of anguish and pain thinking I could "cure" myself. I may NOT be on medication for my entire life but if that is the case, so be it. I do see my mood disorder as an illness and I take responsibility for my health which includes getting the proper medical treatment. And it took me 45 years to accept and understand that. 45 years of intense suffering thinking my "mindset" could change it all. It is not my fate (whatever that is)...it is a fact. I don't think people should feel guilty or inferior if they need medication because their "mindset" has not been enough to help them. We have come a long way in understanding that mental illness is just that...an illness. And we cannot will it away with some mindset. Bernie Segal also thought patient > could use their mindset to cure their cancer and then had to rephrase it all in a second book for those who died anyway even after using all of the "positive" thoughts, etc.
> Acceptance should not in any way be confused with surrender.What's that saying they use in AA? "May I have strength change the things I can, the grace to accept the things I can't, and have the wisdom to know the difference."
poster:Purple
thread:2794
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990201/msgs/2926.html