Posted by Chris O on June 7, 2016, at 17:41:32
In reply to Re: nightmares, posted by rjlockhart37 on June 7, 2016, at 11:19:55
Hi, Rich,
I have not read much of Lovecraft, but I am well aware of his reputation as the premier horror writer of the 20th century. I was reading the Wikipedia article about him and noticed that both of his parents may have struggled with mental health issues (psychosis, "hysteria," depression), so I am guessing that deeply affected him/his views/his writing. I also think it's interesting that someone obviously so creative and brilliant had to struggle so much in life, financially and otherwise.
I think due to my anxiety disorder, I may share some of Lovecraft's thematic obsessions. Wikipedia mentions these as repeating themselves in Lovecraft's work (inherited guilt, "fate" (i.e. high external locus of control), civilization under threat, the arrogance of "science"). This (tendency toward apocalyptic worldview, lack of control, a feeling of being trapped by my parents failings) probably enhances many of the issues I suffer with anxiety. As I mentioned before, I try to shape my cognitions away from these darker roads when I am anxious, but I am not always successful. (Ironically, nighttime seems to be worse for me, but I do not attribute that to anything except biology--it feels like my cortisol ramps up at night leading to increased anxiety. But this increased anxiety also leads to increase "What's wrong-ing?" which leads to increased going down irrational paths. I don't know if this is the same for you.)
I think I mentioned this before, too, (and I don't know if this applies to you), but I feel like my ability to regulate emotions appropriately has somehow been disabled by my anxiety disorder. I am not certain if emotions I am feeling in the present are from the past, or whether I should or should not experience emotions at various times. So, I feel like I am on this perpetual overemotional/under-emotional train. It's really annoying, to put it mildly.
Keep fighting the good fight, man.
Sincerely,
Chris
poster:Chris O
thread:1089072
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20160101/msgs/1089475.html