Jane's Example
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A couple of days ago I went out to lunch with some friends. We stopped at a place that we all like and were enjoying our meals when all of a sudden I noticed that I was feeling strange and I began to have trouble following the conversation. Almost immediately I felt flushed confused and panicky. My heart was pounding, everything seemed unreal and I felt like I might collapse. I wanted to rush out of the restaurant. I knew of course, that I was beginning to have a panic attack. Because of my Recovery training, I was able to spot that this was distressing, but not dangerous (my doctor said I had no physical problems), that I could have the will to bear the discomfort of the panic and control my muscles and not run out of the restaurant. I spotted that I was not transparent, and even if my friends did notice something there would be no danger to that either. I just kept thinking to myself, "this is distressing but not dangerous" and kept endorsing myself for staying put. I remembered that if I did not work this up that it would run its course. I spotted this was a harmless outpouring of a nervous imbalance. Before Recovery, I would have run out of the restaurant and would have been hysterical. I was sure I was going to collapse and have a heart attack. I also would blame myself for being this way. I had a lot of panic attacks and free floating anxiety. In fact, I got to the point where I was not very comfortable anywhere, and I avoided some places completely. Further Spotting! Frank-- By controlling her muscles not to run out of the restaurant, Jane was using her muscles to teach her brain that there was really no danger. Elaine-- I liked the way she used her will to bear the discomfort of the panic. This shows that Janet is being self led, instead of symptom led. Bonnie-- Jane is demonstrating that her mental health is her supreme goal and that comfort is a want and not a need. Don-- I spot that Jane's panic spoke to her like any nervoussymptom speaks to us, and that is that it told her she was in danger--what we call the symptomatic idiom. She spotted that though what she was experiencing was very distressing, she was in no danger. What does that mean? spot -- Jane recognized (spotted) that she was in no danger because of what she had been learning in Recovery. endorsing -- giving herself credit. symptomatic idiom -- In Recovery the symptomatic idiom is one word--danger. It is discussed in the beginning of the text Mental Health Trough Will Training, which can be ordered from Recovery, Inc. Go to the Recovery store to order.
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