Diane's Example
I was at home on Tuesday morning at 7:00 a.m. and I got on the scale for my weekly weigh in. I saw that I had gained 2 pounds and I began to work myself up.My heart had palpitations and I felt nervous fatigue. My thoughts began racing, I was afraid that my weight would go up uncontrollably. I thought that I had better start restricting my food so I could lose the 2 pounds. No more fat in my diet, small portions, only fruit for lunch. I told myself I needed to exercise more and could take no more days off until I lost the weight. I also thought I needed to wear baggy clothes until I lost the weight so that no one would know I was getting fat!
I spotted that I had fearful temper. I told myself this is distressing but not dangerous. It is average to fluctuate 3-5 pounds. I decided to take the secure thought that this is phasic and not basic and I just needed to continue eating my 3 moderate meals a day. I also realized that I had imagination on fire.
Before I had my Recovery training, I would have immediately started to restrict my food, which would have eventually led to a binge. I would have stayed stuck on focusing on my body and weight and would not have been able to go on with my day. I also would have exercised to the point of exhaustion. I would have been anxious and worried all day.
Further Spotting!
Ann--I spot that Diane was having fearful temper when she saw the 2 pound weight gain. She thought she was wrong for that bit of gain, but then she spotted that it is average for people to fluctuate a few pounds.Dee--I liked that she spotted that it was phasic and not ba sic as a secure thought. This shows that she knows that it isn't something that is permanent that it's only phasic. I spot that the fear of the permanent handicap might be one of Diane's fears.
Lisa--I spot the passion for self distrust. She was afraid that her weight would go up uncontrollably, but now she can learn to trust her basic functions to carry her forward in her eating disorders program.
What does that mean?
spotted--Diane saw (recognized) that her thinking was sabotaging her mental health. Spotting something is rather like recognizing it.fearful temper--If Diane says she is having fearful temper, then she must be blaming herself for something, such as in this example, her weight gain. Fearful temper often goes under the guise of self disgust, self pity, self hatred, etc.
