[CelestialFlame]

Does repression of ones emotions count as coping? Does just ignoring the problem count as well? I’ve always heard coping described as someone doing something to deal with their problem but is avoiding the problem or rejecting it a type of coping as well?

[Skeezyks]

No I would say repression does not count as coping. All repression does is beat back emotions temporarily. But they keep coming back... often stronger & more frequently than they did to begin with. Sooner or later emotions have to be faced one way or another... unless one simply chooses to live with them as they are.

[TishaBuv]

Coping is living what the problem that can’t be fixed, and trying to find healthy things to do instead of the dysfunction.

[Sophia-Marie]

Coping to me is, basically, something I do that helps me to deal w certain traits, wether someone else would call it 'normal' or 'healthy' or not.

Repressing is not dealing with an issue so I personally would not count it as such.

[tevelygo]

Originally Posted by CelestialFlame

Does repression of ones emotions count as coping? Does just ignoring the problem count as well? I’ve always heard coping described as someone doing something to deal with their problem but is avoiding the problem or rejecting it a type of coping as well?

I would say it counts as temporary coping.

I lost access to many of my feelings for a decade.

When there was enough influence to have me regain access to them - the initial result was terrible chaos mentally and then later emotionally too (all this was a longer term process).

So having them disconnected/dormant for a decade resulted in big mess yah.

And I'm sure them "breaking through" like this had to happen sooner or later.

In that decade I did achieve many things though. I wouldn't have been able to if I hadn't had those emotions buried. I had no access to help back then (long story).

So... take this for whatever it's worth.

[ArchieAus]

It's one of those questions that you don't know the answer to until a life has been lived . If repression means you function to an acceptable and happy level for your life then it worked . If ( as others said ) you cope like that for 10 or 20 years and then crash and burn then it hasn't .
The alternative is not a guaranteed success either . By laying bare and confronting issues are you guaranteed to be happier and healthier because of it ?
I choose option one ( even though I'm sure my issues don't compare to a lot of others ) . I don't and never will seek help for anything . I have diagnosed my own mind , sat there with the blue prints and looked at the schematics . I don't know how it works to any great extent , but know enough to understand if I take the red wire and solder it on to the green wire I operate fine . What's done is done for me . I keep my eyes on the horizon . That I can influence .

[FallDuskTrain]

Originally Posted by CelestialFlame

Does repression of ones emotions count as coping? Does just ignoring the problem count as well? I’ve always heard coping described as someone doing something to deal with their problem but is avoiding the problem or rejecting it a type of coping as well?

Coping is the management of the emotions and their intensity so that your MI does not get worse and so that you can live a drama free life and be a positive influence in your own life and the those around you. And more importantly, we all need to learn to cope so that we can have fulfilling lives, pay rent/mortgage, hold down a job, have social support system.... well in summary we need to cope to survive.
There are many different coping mechanisms, including self invented ones. While some do physical exercise to cope with anger and anxiety, others dive into meditation practice or some to both. It is all a matter of choice.

[continuosly blue]

Originally Posted by CelestialFlame

Does repression of ones emotions count as coping? Does just ignoring the problem count as well? I’ve always heard coping described as someone doing something to deal with their problem but is avoiding the problem or rejecting it a type of coping as well?

This is a very interesting question. I have to say though that I don’t think anyone can CONSCIOUSLY repress an emotion. Emotions are thoughts that come and go. I believe that we can consciously THINK about an emotion or not.
And , for me, that’s the issue. Not thinking about an emotion is not repression.
You just choose to think something else. Two things , even thoughts I believe, cannot occupy the same space at the same time. If I’m angry at someone, is that emotion buried or placed somewhere until I express it ? Many would say yes
but I believe we express that emotion in some other way in some shape or form.
Obviously I believe this to be a very complicated issue. Some people channel their emotions into a positive , others into a negative.
Just a thought......

[CelestialFlame]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I don’t usually associate myself with the word “coping”; have never really used it before to describe myself, so it was nice to get some outside opinions on repression and coping
I do realize that repression of ones emotions is very unhealthy but unfortunately it is a habit of mine for a couple years now so it will take a lot to break.
I have had a not so great past so it makes sense that i started repressing those emotions in exchange for a very nice numb feeling. I do however, function normally in my daily life and im not negative so it doesn’t exactly impede me.
People deal with situations in differently ways, my sister cries for months, my brother disappears, my parents both bury themselves in work, and i just acknowledge and move on by shoving my emotions away and pretending nothing happened. I have tried talking but it really only makes things worse by bringing up bad memories. Hopefully i can find a better way to cope than repression one day.

[FallDuskTrain]

Originally Posted by CelestialFlame

Thanks for the feedback guys. I don’t usually associate myself with the word “coping”; have never really used it before to describe myself, so it was nice to get some outside opinions on repression and coping

I do realize that repression of ones emotions is very unhealthy but unfortunately it is a habit of mine for a couple years now so it will take a lot to break.

I have had a not so great past so it makes sense that i started repressing those emotions in exchange for a very nice numb feeling. I do however, function normally in my daily life and im not negative so it doesn’t exactly impede me.

People deal with situations in differently ways, my sister cries for months, my brother disappears, my parents both bury themselves in work, and i just acknowledge and move on by shoving my emotions away and pretending nothing happened. I have tried talking but it really only makes things worse by bringing up bad memories. Hopefully i can find a better way to cope than repression one day.

I believe that repression is unavoidable because we have to, at times, repress our anger and other negative emotions in order to confront and manage the present situation at hand.
I guess it could be considered as a coping mechanism but I would categorize it as a risky one unless you deal with the repressed emotions in a timely manner.

[MoxieDoxie]

Coping is relative to each person. Coping is being a productive member of society without disrupting others. Getting out of bed, showering, doing chores, going to work.

Now living on the other had would be planning for the future. Setting goals and setting into actions tasks to reach those goals.

When I was always planning my escape from life the long term future goals like retirement were never thought of.

[tevelygo]

Originally Posted by CelestialFlame

Thanks for the feedback guys. I don’t usually associate myself with the word “coping”; have never really used it before to describe myself, so it was nice to get some outside opinions on repression and coping
I do realize that repression of ones emotions is very unhealthy but unfortunately it is a habit of mine for a couple years now so it will take a lot to break.
I have had a not so great past so it makes sense that i started repressing those emotions in exchange for a very nice numb feeling. I do however, function normally in my daily life and im not negative so it doesn’t exactly impede me.
People deal with situations in differently ways, my sister cries for months, my brother disappears, my parents both bury themselves in work, and i just acknowledge and move on by shoving my emotions away and pretending nothing happened. I have tried talking but it really only makes things worse by bringing up bad memories. Hopefully i can find a better way to cope than repression one day.

I do think not everyone needs to really sink in feelings much or for long. Maybe you are just that kind of person. Still, even such people do need to look at the more important feelings/reactions at times.

And yes talking about it can just make things worse. How long have you tried to think about these things that bring up bad memories, though? If you stick with it, at one point you could get insight from it. My experience anyway.