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Old Feb 06, 2011, 11:53 PM
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bpd2 bpd2 is offline
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Member Since: Nov 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 797
Quote:
Originally Posted by MDDBPDPTSD View Post
BPD2: "use your experience as testimony, not as focus" Does that mean that we should use this as an example of why the need exists & not the focus of how we should have done things differently in the past, but how we can change ourselves so we have a better outcome in the future?
I think that's it--but it is important to air that you were distressed by the incidents (it's not just one, but many). Once you tell your experience, I'd move past it as quickly as possible before people want to deal with "who did this and who did that" into what should WE do in situations when either we receive a call and someone says they feel like killing themselves--what sorts of questions should we ask or steps should we take; what should WE do when an anecdote is told to us--do we get more info?, do we act immediatly?, do we report it to our group leaders?, do we call the authorities?, and how do WE repair a disruption to group cohesion so that no one feels diminished, invalidated, unsupported, or unworthy. If you would be comfortable doing it, it would be a good move to type up the topics in a very simple outline (1, 2, 3, 4) in big type and pass it to everyone so that they see why you are bringing it up and where you are going with it. People who are defensive or emotional about a situation feel more control, feel like the situation is under control, if there is a concrete scaffolding to follow for the whole discussion. I, for one, lose my place very easily when emotions and confusion run high. I sometimes can't take my own notes, even. So, if someone has already done that for me, and can point to where we are, the experience of the moment snaps into place, at least occasionally, and I can stay with it. I don't know what your group is like, I don't know if this would work, and I don't know if it's something you can do on your own. If you don't trust the leaders to help you, maybe you could explain to your friend what you need and what you are trying to do. Two voices changes things...
You have to be willing to do this for them, too...not just for you........