Positive Psychology

[vorlon13]

A mistaken interpretation example from my world:

very early on in the AIDS crisis a dear friend passed away right about the time I received my first HIV test results (-). I was reeling from the implications of that while trying to comfort his long time partner after the funeral service and was really conflicted knowing my status and not telling him. False pretenses or something, failure to disclose kinda thing.

But I didn't want to tell him. I knew he was going to have a melt down, start screaming "I wish you were dead instead of D" and maybe even start pounding on me.

And I kinda wanted him to . .

Anyhow, I summoned up all my courage, figuring I had to be honest and despite it being horrible D had just died, if I couldn't be true to his surviving partner, well, I just had to tell him.

He didn't react negatively at all, gave me a big hug, started crying (more) and told me he really needed some good news right then.


While I was relieved, I was totally mystified too. He's my best friend, I know he didn't deserve to lose his partner, and wishing me dead in his place not only seemed appropriate, it was something I had earned.

So, it's been 30 years, and until recently, I accepted his reaction but thought he was screwed up somehow, it never occurring to me till a few weeks ago I was the one with the fucked up outlook.

And just typing I was wrong about it isn't really changing my underlying feeling about it, it's one of those head and heart not going in the same direction thing.

[ignoramus]

Vorls....very interesting indeed... Can I see you next week? Same time? Cash or credit card?

[Silver]

Psychologists need to stop being so silly and actually give advice.

I'm introspective on my own, and it certainly doesn't change who I am.

I'm not even certain that advice from others would even change me, to be honest.

[ignoramus]

Kit, but why would a person go to a quack if he was happy how he was?

[Silver]

Kit, but why would a person go to a quack if he was happy how he was?

From what I understand, those who are mentally different than what is considered the norm are happy with who they are.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[ignoramus]

We're all mentally different...
There must be something more to make you want to go see a quack...

Anyone here with experience?

[Cyberman]

The most popular form of talk therapy today is called Cognitive Behavior Therapy. CBT is a very solution-oriented approach that teaches patients how to develop coping strategies to correct flawed interpretations of their environment or redirect ineffective thought patterns so they can respond more effectively to their circumstances.

For 'popular', read 'cheap'. It worked a real treat for me (not). The moment my 'counsellor' tried to twist things I was saying to fit her preconceived script, that was when I walked out.

[Shell B]

Cyberman, if your therapist doesn't know what they're doing, it's ineffective. Try some books.

[vorlon13]

The most popular form of talk therapy today is called Cognitive Behavior Therapy. CBT is a very solution-oriented approach that teaches patients how to develop coping strategies to correct flawed interpretations of their environment or redirect ineffective thought patterns so they can respond more effectively to their circumstances.

Here's a scenario;

an individual in the crowd with friends there is physically unharmed. However two friends were killed, and seven others experienced a range of injuries from gunshot wounds.

The individual sees a real need to help and volunteers at a service organization that is helping injured survivors of the attack with grocery shopping, help making Dr appts, laundry, housekeeping, and just being there to listen if need be. More motivation for volunteering is that they are considered one of the 'lucky ones' by folks who weren't there.


Does volunteering seem like a bad idea? Some folks might actually thrive in this, as folks that are accepting the help improve it would be rewarding and that the effects of the attack are being ameliorated. I'm thinking however, other people will need to be screened out, this is a high stress, long term endeavor, and the internal resources to handle this might simply not be present in the individual.

[Cyberman]

Cyberman, if your therapist doesn't know what they're doing, it's ineffective. Try some books.

I agree, with the first part anyway. It was my doctor who admitted that CBT is the cheap option. Cheap in the NHS sense, that is.