where do you start with self-help in overcoming this?

circles5 · Aug 18, 2018 at 03:16 PM

Hi.
Im struggling currently.
I dont have a support network socially. I loathe myself... so im rarely of any comfort to myself.
With other issues; anxiety, depression... there's at least a manual so to speak. There's certainly a lot of self-help books and informational videos.
But without long term. In depth psychotherapy - what steps can you take to improve your predicament/ relationship with yourself?

I feel like im a hopeless case. I dont know where to begin. What to try. How i should be behaving.. - and as another post i remember seeing; 'where do i start and this personality disorder ends'
I'm completely lost. I dont have a framework to work with.
What should i be doing?

With anxiety - my bdd + ocd... i know i need erp, exposure and response prevention.. as well as some cognitive insight.
However cbt doesnt seem to work with this avoidant pd.
So in absence of appropriate psychotherapy, what can one do to better themself?

C5

Skeezyks · Aug 19, 2018 at 03:09 PM

I'm sorry you are struggling with this.

I don't know as I have any particularly creative suggestions for you here. (Self-loathing is something I have a lot of experience with myself.)

Here are links to a selection of articles, from PsychCentral's archives, that perhaps can be of some help:

On Hating Yourself Less

Try These 3 Tricks to Improve Your Self-Esteem

7 Tips to Raise Your Self-Esteem and Keep It There

8 Suggestions for Strengthening Self-Esteem When You Have Depression

Exploring Our Deepest Truths Through Writing

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/imper...s-and-anxiety/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/how-to...nful-emotions/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/a-tech...nful-feelings/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/using-...o-reclaim-joy/

I wish you well...

Fuzzybear · Aug 21, 2018 at 08:39 PM

Well.... a competent therapist can be very helpful. But I notice you live in the UK

. (“Good” therapists do exist in the uk but can be hard to locate........

)

I think Skeezyks links are helpful .. good luck

Posting online helps some people with this disorder. If the self loathing is severe I suggest caution ... as everywhere else, there are some who feed on those who may be “vulnerable”

. But pc is a “safe” forum.

circles5 · Aug 26, 2018 at 07:31 PM

Thankyou both, I will have a read through the links Skeezyks i appreciate that.

Yes, I agree about the U.K.. I've been very lucky to have some of the best available in London on the NHS. But on the whole; the picture is a bit (terrible) currently.
We're very behind on mental health it seems over here.
I really wish they'd hurry up and start integrating Schema therapy into the mainstream personality disorder treatments.. I feel that's really what i need.. but it just isn't even available without going privately and the money is

I'm currently waiting for, probably psychodynamic... but the waiting list is about 12-14 months ........ which is way too long..

Thanks for the heads-up. I'm sadly very aware of this having been raised by a father with severe malignant NPD...I keep an eye out. But as a result of my experience - i find it very hard to trust people.. i'm working on getting a more balanced view of things, and keeping boundaries.

Best,
C5

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where do you start with self-help in overcoming this?

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