Bob's Example
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This happened last week. I woke up in the middle of the night and thought "What happens if I become delusional again? What if I get sick again and can't get well?" I really began to work myself up. I had heart palpitations, racing thoughts, the impulse to get up and pace the room. I wondered if I was getting sick now and felt panicky. I practiced my spotting by saying to myself that these symptoms were distressing but not dangerous. They didn't necessarily mean that I was ill again. I controlled my muscles to stay still in bed. I took the secure thought that others who had my illness were getting help and doing better by practicing Recovery, and so could I. I had the will to bear the discomfort and endorsed myself. Before Recovery, I would have worked myself up into such a state that I would be out the door and either going to the hospital or waking up the whole family and getting them upset too. Everything was an emergency and I hated myself. Now I have hope. I also am better about staying in touch with my doctor. Further Spotting! Don -- I spot that Bob did not jump to a self diagnosis when he experienced a few symptoms. He spotted them as distressing, but not dangerous. Carl -- Bob was being group minded by not jumping up and getting everyone else up. Trudy -- I liked the way he controlled his impulse to get up and commanded his muscles to stay put. This is teaching the brain that there is no danger--by not acting on a thought or impulse when it hits us. What does that mean? distressing but not dangerous -- Recovery emphasizes the importance of staying in touch with your doctor if there is a question about symptoms. If we are told by our doctor that these symptoms pose no threat, then like Bob, it is good practice to spot symptoms as distressing but not dangerous. endorsed -- Bob is giving himself credit for the effort he made in this example. It is as though he is giving himself a mental pat on the back.
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