[dtcoyle]

I'm starting to think that one of the best ways for us to defeat our problems is by being aware of our thoughts and emotions and then analysing thier relationship to reality. For example, the other day I went to a job interview, I walked in feeling positive and left feeling negative. I THOUGHT the enterview went badly therefore I was in a negative EMOTIONAL state for the better part of the day. Later once I calmed down I realized some things. First of all the interview wasn't that bad. The REALITY is that I might end up getting the job. Its not the end of the world if I don't, I've applied for several jobs and reason suggest that eventually I will get one of them. It just so happens that I wanted this one. Secondly, what good does my negative emotion serve? Abolutely none! The reality is that it serves only destruction. It does no good to be negative, it only makes a difficult life harder. A single unwarranted negative thought can race through the mind, picking up mass and momentum like an avalance. A single thought can distort reality.

Some thought on Personality Disorder

I was diagnosed with BPD (amongst other things) about six years ago. I have some of the classic symptoms such as impulsiveness, indecisiveness, instability, identity issues, inability to maintain relationships... etc. As of yet, I'm not aware that any of these symptoms have a physical root (chemical/electrical) and for that matter do not really care. The reality is that my mind is mine and I should have near total control over it. Why should I not be able to use my mind to cure mental (non-physical) problems? Mind over mind! I believe that we can regulate ourselves by being aware of our thoughts and emotions. I've realized that it has been my false perception of reality that has caused me to stumble again and again. My false perception of people, situations, and of myself. I've come to understand that even when I correctly percieve something to be negative it does no good to make a self destructive decision based on that thing. I think one of the keys is to use the mind to correctly percive reality, make constructive decisions, stabalize yourself AND TRY HARD TO STAY THAT WAY!!! I think its important to be aware of our problems (delusional thinking/self destructive behavior) and think of ways to keep from repeating them. I think we should avoid being romanced by the lables our Doctors apply to us (I don't mean to say we should deny them). The more stock we put into those lables the more valid they become. The cure isn't going to come from a bottle but from the mind itself. Its much easier said than done. It will take alot of hard work. But what is the option? The only time there is no hope is when we convience ourselves that there is none. I've heard it said that people with Personality Disorders are pretty much S.O.L. life, and by extension, reality, is what we make of it.

This has helped me, I hope it helps you. Please comment if anything comes to mind! I really want to improve, live a healthy life. Share your insights!

[Rhapsody]

[PoeticLiscence]

As my psychologist sister says, "perception is reality." I fully embrace the frame of thought that says we are in charge of our emotions. If we decide to have a bad day, then we'll sink to that level of thought and create our own bad day and of course, vice versa.

Naturally, an exception to this train of thought would be if horrid things have been thrust on you. I'm only talking about our frame of mind on the average day. You're not going to think your way into a good mind set if your right in the middle of being victimized in some way. But the average Joe like me probably can DECIDE how to feel on the average day in average circumstances, in my opinion.

I'd rather decide how to feel than have someone else dictate the emotions of my day or to have someone else tell me if I've just experienced a success or not. I think you're right....sometimes our perceptions are just off. If we'd step back and choose to see the positive, we'd see the positive and therefore, experience the positive.

What a great post!!!!

I believe our thoughts can have a HUGE impact on every aspect of our lives, from careers to relationships to the way we cope with adversity.

you wrote:
</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
one of the best ways for us to defeat our problems is by being aware of our thoughts and emotions and then analysing thier relationship to reality.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
ahhhhh.....yes that is a great point! Although, reality can be very subjective ..... which can be quite confusing for some of us.

Oh, I agree with not getting caught up in the "labels" of mental struggles(I like to refer to them as struggles--- not illnesses) I'm NOT ill, I'm just struggling with some things.
</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
The more stock we put into those lables the more valid they become. The cure isn't going to come from a bottle but from the mind itself.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
Yes, it's all in how we want to believe ourselves to be-- hopeless or hopeful! though, I've been told that some meds can help to get a person going into the right direction, in order that they may take sole control in the future..... (I find the med-dependency culture to be very controversial and personally triggering -- in order not to offend those that believe in them... I won't say anymore)

I hope many people read your post and will give "thought therapy" a try!



mandy