[Persie]

Hi everyone,

I sort of tripped onto this site yesterday, seems interesting.

I suffered for a number of years anxiety and panic attacks. These days, its more mild agoraphobia so I am free enough to live my life but within certain parameters. I consider it a blessing to not be where I was a few years ago.

I am female, in my early forties, single, living at home with my elderly and dependent parents. Life is hard but we help each other and we get through each day. I am sure there are worst case scenarios out there, so I always feel guilty about complaining.

I have a university background, in psychology of all things. I even did an assignment on learned helplessness, quoting Prof. Seligman who I believe is well known by Dr Grohol. Small world, eh? There's a thesis in that, I mean that having knowledge, in itself, doesn't equal a cure. My uni days are well and truly behind me now, my brain is too fried. I think if I had continued, I would have probably headed towards studying comparative psychology/philosophy/theology. I think its the Libra in me, I am always trying to find balance, equality, compromise, etc.

Not much else to say, stop by and introduce yourself please.

Persie.

[Myzen]

Hi Persie,

Nice to meet you. I'm a burned out academic myself, so it's a special greeting from me.

This is a really good place, with all sorts of people and contributions and every one of them is worth reading and learning from.

I found that familiarity improves PC, so please do stick around and get to know a few people - you won't regret it!

Good thoughts, M

[drunksunflower]

Hmm ... I find your take on things interesting. If knowledge does not give you power to change the things that are distressing you, then what does?

Hi

[Persie]

Myzen, thanks and I look forward to interesting chats. What field did you study in?

DSF (hope you don't mind the abbreviation), what I mean is that in my experience people can have data in their head and repeat it like parrots but they don't make experiential, emotional connections. Oddly, the most twisted minds I have met were in psych depts., the people you would think that they would have it together. In fact, that is why I went to uni, because they all seemed like gods to me and they had it figured out and I was somehow missing life's point.

In short, to use an example, someone might know its bad to smoke, but they might not understand it at an experiential level or do anything about it, until they make meaningful connections. My dad quit smoking last year after finding out he had bladder cancer. He knew that cancer was bad for people's health, but whenever we told him, we were just being bossy women.

Simply having a lot of data in your head doesn't make you any wiser, creative, emotionally stable, good, honest, or self-aware. Computers have lots of data, but they aren't self-aware, at least not yet.

Not sure if that answers it.

Thanks for asking the question.

[drunksunflower]

I disagree, I don't think it's that hard.

It is more a matter of facing and owning up to your demons. I have a PhD in psychology, and that is where boards like this can come in as being extremely helpful. Personally I don't particularly subscribe to the idea of an illness like this controlling you - I see it as a bit of a copout to be honest.

It might take a little bit of time but I do believe that everyone is in control of their own destiny and the outcome of their life in general.

[Lexicon78]

Welcome to Psych Central, Persie.

I suffer from severe depression, among a plethora of other things.

How many of us are going for or already have psych degrees? Right now I'm going for my degree in psych. My take on it is that I'm much better at helping others in healthy ways than myself. As long as I'm helping others, I'm helping myself grow.

[Myzen]

Hi Persie,

I have a BA and an Mphil in moral philosophy. I'm an early retired teacher.

Hey, I can see the makings of a decent discussion on illness and willpower; also how emotional connections are very different from intellectual connections.

Having said that, we are a support group here, and we make most of our connections here through our hearts, so it might not be the best place for an academic debate.

The main thing is to settle in, and get a feeling for us, and that takes time.

Good thoughts, M

[short_n_swt]

Welcome

Im also a newbie, and i have found the members here to be exceptionally sensitive and supportive.

[bipolar_bear]

Welcome to Psych Central. I hope you find what you are looking for here.

[praxis]

Hi Persie, I'm Praxis



My bio: female, mid/late forties, married, 3 grown/nearly grown kids, sociology degree.

I think I get what you are saying- that intellectual knowledge is a necessary component, but not sufficient on its own. That a personal or emotional understanding must be present as well. Am I close?

At any rate, I'm glad you are here and I look forward to getting to know you better.

[praxis]

Hello and welcome to you too, short-n-swt!

[Christina86]

Welcome to PC Persie!!



Hope you like it here!

PS. Learned helplessness, what an awesome topic (I'm a 2nd year psych, loving it!!)

[ozzie]

Hi Persie. I'm glad to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you better.

[ozzie]

Hi Persie. I'm glad to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you better.