J, my therapist, said something that I found intriguing during our session yesterday. But of course I forgot what it was the minute I walked out the door. That frequently happens. I emailed him to see if he remembered what he said, and he did. Wow, I don’t know how he remembers something he said to me at 11am when he sees 6 or 7 more clients afterward.
But what he pointed out to me is that, for me, internalizing guilt, which I am guilty of (no pun intended), might diminish anxiety. I don’t have to worry about anything going wrong because it’s all my fault already. The guilt is a defense against the anxiety. Cool insight, huh?
November 4th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
If you haven’t read anything by Yalom, you must. I think I might pick up Love’s Executioner and take it with me when I go overseas.
My shrink has expressed similar sentiments – it’s almost like if you internalize guilt, you’re merely pushing the anxiety out of the way. Like a emotional displacement reaction (::shudders at chem memories from high school::).
November 5th, 2009 at 12:08 am
That makes sense.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:13 am
Now that’s interesting. Gives a person a lot to think about.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Rach – I’ve read almost everything by Yalom! On my last vacation I read “When Nietzsche Wept” and loved it.
EH – yeah it does. Now what do I do with it?
Laura – I’m still thinking!
November 5th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Harriet -
I’ve read a lot of Yalom, but not When Nietsche Wept. Have you read Schoppenhauers cure?? I’m sure the spelling is way off.
OLJ
November 6th, 2009 at 1:00 am
I don’t have any wise words but I wanted to thank you for all your supportive comments–really has meant a lot in the last few days!
November 6th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
OLJ – I have not read Schopenhauer’s Cure (can’t spell it either), but I have been meaning to. Was it good?
imagine – you don’t need to give me wise words, I just appreciate you stopping by. Thank you.
November 10th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Harriet -
Downloaded a sample on my kindle. Liked what I read.
I’ve only read the first part of S. Cure
Do you read much outside the therapy arena? Forgive me if we’ve already discussed this.
OLJ
November 10th, 2009 at 8:43 am
OLJ – It seems lately I’ve been reading lots of therapy/psychology genre books. I’m currently reading “On Becoming a Person” by Carl Rogers, but I also recently read “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall and “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett. Those were both very good, the first is a true story, and the second is fiction loosely based on true events. How about you?
November 10th, 2009 at 8:56 am
I read a lot! Mainly fiction (if you exclude the parenting and therapy books). I read a mix of mystery/thriller, new fiction and young adult. I’ve heard a lot about The Help – it is on my TBR list. Have you read Olive Kitteridge? Quite good. I’ll have to think of others.
Oh – I got a request from my 10 year old boy to knit him socks. What a sweetie
OLJ