Posted by noa on October 8, 2000, at 10:07:21
In reply to Need some help, research for me-any experience Cam, posted by Abby on October 6, 2000, at 15:30:59
HEy Abby, good to "see" you.
Wow, law school. Talk about stress.
Are you not on anything now? I forget what you have tried, what experiences were like on meds, etc. Maybe if you remind us, someone here can make suggestions.
Also, keep in mind you have been and continue to be in TRANSITION in a big way. College ending, moving across the country, starting law school, etc. etc. plus all the family stuff you have talked about. When I moved 8 years ago, after being in one city for 10.5 years, a friend who had moved away a year before me wrote me a great letter telling me it takes time, longer than you expect, to adjust to a big move. That was so helpful for her to tell me that. I guess my point is, perhaps the "narrow" living is a coping strategy that you need right now. If you can be patient with yourself and generous with yourself, and don't get caught up in expecting too much too fast, and try not to get self-critical, perhaps the added layers of depression, etc. won't be added to how you are feeling.
Another thought--I have found that a kind of narrow, restricted scope of living is my way to avoid feeling too much, because of some really difficult stuff deep inside. This stilted living was so noticeable after my depression improved a lot. When I felt strong enough, I started being able to deal with this stuff in therapy, although haltingly, and not continuously because sometimes I need to seal up again for self-protection.
I don't know if your experience has any similarities, just thought it might help to share it with you. I would urge caution, though, in pushing yourself into too much self-exploration in therapy right now, because you are in transition, and like I said, perhaps the narrowness of living you are feeling is a coping strategy you need for the moment.
poster:noa
thread:45886
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000926/msgs/45955.html