Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovebird
In DBT I am learning about opposite-to-emotion action. On the surface, it may look like "fake it till you make it," but the big difference is, you're not denying your true feelings. For example, if I'm feeling sad and want to choose to act opposite, I might put on upbeat music. But I'm still acknowledging that I'm feeling sad. I'm not telling myself, "Hey, I feel great! I'm happy as a clam! Rock on!"
Similarly, getting up and going to work when you don't want to, staying at the party even though you feel like leaving, etc, are "opposite to emotion" actions. But they are done by choice, not because you're denying how you really feel.
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This for me. When I started therapy about a month ago I could barely get out of the house for absolutely no reason. I force myself to be out of the house as much as possible now by direction of my T and now feel pretty comfy most days about doing whatever may come along, even if I just want to be home in bed. I haven't called out of work once even though i've wanted to many days, just forcing myself to go, it gradually got easier for me.
Definitely not the end-all tactic. I still have my days where I just want to run away to I don't know where but can't even leave my room... cue the circle of madness
Fake it has been helpful in that sense for me, I also do it with music when i'm driving and feeling particularly crappy. Doesn't change much except i'm not focusing on the bad stuff for a second. Coincidentally i'm doing that as I type this, just with the words and keyboard sounds
