dear mr. psychiatrist...

[sodzilla]

Dear Mr. Psychiatrist: today you asked me why I'm so easily offended, why I expose myself to emotional abuse, why I don't just avoid circumstances that will be painful to me, especially when I know that depression puts my temper on an even lighter trigger than usually

Comments

[jadedissola]

I hate, hate, hate the argument that people "go looking" for things to be depressed/angry about. All I have to do is turn on the TV some days, or just read the headlines on news link in my iGoogle window to get upset. I once was told I needed to listen to different music because clearly that was the cause of a lot of my depression (never mind that when I listened to it, it was cathartic). Honestly, even if my brain did produce the proper balance of chemicals, I don't see how anyone can be faced with it on a daily basis and not get at least a little upset.

And yeah, that bullshit on the forums is kind of funny in a sad way because when I posted only a couple of sentences I thought "Hey, I'm not being preachy and I'm even including something kinda funny to illustrate my point!" I should have known better because people will go to any length to cling to their "right" to use offensive words. (I really "loved" being lectured as to what was really meant by that video, too. Heh.)

[sodzilla]

Yeah, clearly they know these things so much better than you do, because you're only the person who analyzes and thinks and keeps informed...

I'm not saying nobody ever overreacts in these matters - I have, on occasion - but honestly, it gets so old that it's *always* the first thing people reach for.

[jadedissola]

I'm just going to go back to saying how telling it is that of all the things to make a big deal over it, they were the ones who went there first. I just dropped two or three innocuous sentences that could have easily been ignored. Blah. I'm holding to the fact that I've said my piece, and when I mentioned it last night in officer chat, I think Solivar was prepared to step in, and I think she probably will. (By the way, Solivar, if you read this, I apologize that it continued. Like you, I thought Darren's post would have been it.)

[sodzilla]

I honestly wonder if it isn't a lesser manifestation of Maleficaru's Syndrome. They're so sure they're just being rational and that no one could possibly take offense, it probably doesn't even occur to them that the injunction to be civil applies to what they're saying.

[inever]

Shouldn't he be helping you find coping strategies instead of teaching avoidance? I don't think I like your shrink very much. :/

[sodzilla]

Well, this is my psychiatrist, who's pretty much in charge of giving me medicine... the therapist is a very different sort of guy, we get along well, especially because he actually approves of my stubbornness. He says harnessing that part of my personality so it works for me instead of against me is probably going to be key to my making a more successful life.

[sodzilla]

Heh, thanks. I don't feel like it takes a lot of courage to face these things when the alternative is isolating myself (even more than I usually do) but... maybe there's some form of virtue in acceptance, at least.

[chn_breathmint]

What are you knitting? I'm currently working on the Wabi-sabi shawl pattern using some Noro Kochoran and some Cascade Lana Bambu, and it's going to be a Christmas present for Myranda.

- Mel

[sodzilla]

That sounds awesome! I'm not doing anything nearly so inspiring right now, just a collar/chestwarmer thing for dad to use when he goes motorbiking. I do have a lot of beautiful yarn put by though, going to have to get cracking on Christmas presents when this is done!

[deathy_the_sock]

Would fire help? In any amount, or in any place?

Because Deathy would love to toss some helpful fireballs your way.

[sodzilla]

Sadly, this is the man who gives me my happy pills. Now is not the time to set him on fire.

...in a year or two, though. I am draenei, I am patient.

tl;dr I agree with your second-to-last paragraph.

[krysadis]

Reading jadedissola's comments up there reminds me why I didn't read or watch any news media for years; probably nigh on a decade. It depressed me far too much, and being numb and helpless is no fun for anyone concerned

Re: tl;dr I agree with your second-to-last paragraph.

[sodzilla]

That's exactly how I feel! (It's how my therapist feels, too; *his* commentary on these sorts of things is "well, of course you're angry! anyone who cares gets angry sometimes!")