What is a therapeutic need?

This sure is thought-provoking. For me the basic needs (food, water, shelter, etc) would keep me alive, but without the other, social needs (attachments), I would not DESIRE to be alive. Maybe some are physical needs, but others are needs for the SOUL to survive. To me, just being alive, in terms of still breathing, is not enough. I NEED to WANT to be alive. Otherwise, I am physically alive, but dead inside.

If I had a cut on my arm and it was bleeding profusely I would NEED medical attention, band-aid, stitches what have you., as I NEED to have the bleeding stop. However, if that NEED is not met it would either heal on its own over time, with chance of infection or I would bleed to death and die. Now put that into an emotional context - those band aids or stitches are being provided by T or friends etc...hence they are MEETING a NEED! ( the wound being things such as fears, loneliness, sadness that leads to self destruction etc. ) some will heal on their own and others will die with their wounds. Granted it may not be a death based solely on the wound, but ones quality of life and or path will be effected by it. Does that help?

Some of the psychological research with elderly and who lives longest (after controlling for health conditions and disease, etc) shows that people live longest when they have emotional support from others or have other emotionally-related things in their lives, like they take care of animals and plants, or they have some autonomy even if they have trouble taking physical care of themselves. I think that this research also replicates among those with terminal diseases. So maybe there is something to a "need" for social-emotional activities in life that is above and beyond just physical sustenance.

That's interesting, and a very good point to make. But I still think that individuality should be taken into consideration when making blanket statements. Not everyone can be painted with the same brush... Example my grandpa, he lived for nearly 30yrs after my ma died. He liked his solitude, books (when he could still see well enough) and listening to music. Never was the affectionate type and was a man of few words. Lovely, kind old man, with a wicked sense of humour, died when he was 96...

Disclaimer: I'm just stating my opinion, not discounting anybody else's...

Long life has never been a real goal of mine. Quick death - yes. Longevity in and of itself not so much.

wait til you hit 60, I bet you'll change your mind about that

haha, my sentiments exactly!

I am firmly nearing the end of middle age - my thoughts on this have not changed. If anything I am concerned why I have made it this far and what can be put into place to ensure the quickness when it becomes necessary. I find it freeing to be old. I can do things without worry about getting killed because dying doing something fun would not be a bad way to go.

I am thinking of setting up a business of like bungee jumping for old people - if you survive, fine; if you don't, that's good too, right?

Make them sign a release and waiver.

I think the need of therapy or the therapist when we are adults is the 'inner child' wanting to get it's needs met. Needs that weren't met a long time ago. At least for me it's been that way.

Once I get above the age of 80 I'm going to take up sky diving. I want to make sure I go out with a - bang! :-)

I think skydiving might end up more in a splat. Bang would come from being shot out of a cannon. But whichever - go for it. Why not?

Not to get technical but depending on the hight there is typically a 'pop' sound that happens when a body hits the ground. Hope that's not too graphic.

Not too graphic for me - it is probably the sound I was describing as splat - but whichever - sounds fun and I hope you get to do it. Not splat or pop or bang - I meant skydive.

Now I have old batman going through my head -Biff, Pow, OOF.

I like this explanation and I wonder if Stopdog has ever considered clean underwear or toothpaste to be a need.

I agree. I think needing a therapist can happen when people are having problems that could cause them to loose their job, and hence secure food, water, shelter and medical care.

I'm sorry when people don't feel meaning in their lives/living.

Wanting to die doing something fun does not equal having no meaning. I am going to die from something - doing something fun seems like a good way to do it. No need to feel sorry for me - I don't.

I meant the part where you said you don't want your life to continue for long (longevity). It sounded like you don't feel meaning in continuing to experience life. (Or myabe you just see the end as too far in the future to think about seriously right now, idk.)

I mean longevity is not in and of itself a goal for me. I don't see the point. For anyone, not just me. But I won't stop anyone who wants to be 100.

I'd like to live just long enough to go through my money. I don't really want to leave much behind and I definitely don't want to run out.

Maybe when the retirement account starts getting low, I'll take up skydiving or hang gliding or something.

that was what I meant about not feeling meaning in life/living. but maybe you are just thinking of it as too far in the future to take seriously now.

I didn't think you meant for other people, as you generally don't. oops, wait a minute, I just reread your post and you did mean for other people. that's different. Well, if life is, or is not, meaningful now, why would it inherently change? Are you just going by stereotypes about old people being miserable and worth less? Or something other reason?

btw, you didn't answer the question about underwear and toothpaste.

seriously, I'm confused, are you honestly misunderstanding or are you purposefully misinterpreting to spark something?

If its the former, let me make it simple for you. Not wanting to live till you're 100 doesn't mean your life is sad and meaningless. Keep your pity to yourself. Many people I know would rather not live until they're 100. Cos is would be kinda pointless, what you gonna do all day in that rickety ole body? Tell stories? What is so appealing about living till your body is too old to breath? Being old is not everyone's goal... Some people, (some) embrace life without having a fear of dying...

Ouch! Harsh...

I don't agree that old people's lives are pointless, whether they're in their 90's, 100, or whatever age. I think it's sad to believe one's life would be pointless. I agree with you that many young people believe that.