Hello,
Just wanted to get a debate going about whether you think tackling symptoms is a better way of sorting out problems than seeking out route causes? Or vice-versa? I am of the opinion that route causes almost always have to be understood. If you have a dead rat in your house, do you find it and remove it or spray the air with air-freshener?
The reason I draw attention to this is because I have tried everything under the sun for my 'symptoms', with varying degrees of success, but have experienced no permanent change from anything. If you have ever typed your problem into a search engine like google or something, which no doubt you have, then you will have noticed along with main links, a variety of extra links up the right hand side of the screen. All of these, to my mind, capitalize on the 'quick fix' idea. We are very very vulnerable when we are unhappy and seeking answers, and who can blame us for clicking on the link which promises to "...have you living the life you want in 2 weeks. FREE from anxiety!" But I have never had any success with any of these things. From confidence courses, to subliminal CDs, I've tried it all. But before you judge, I want to say that I am the first person to rant about how manipulative these things are, but I still enter the site and buy what they're offering. These sites are brilliant at reeling you in: "Fed up with all those sites promising miracle cures? You'll find no such wild claims at THIS site!" That was the latest one that reeled me in. Such advertising is very clever. This is "honest manipulation" in my book.
There is a huge amount of critisism aimed at therapists and therapy. Even though we live in a time that demands it and needs it, many people actually blame therapy for creating psychological problems. People say "why waste time worrying about where your problems come problem? Do something about it!" Well, this is the "quick fix" person talking. But surely if you remove the effects, the cause remains, laying dormant. What's the feeling amongst others?
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To go for route causes?
#2 Guest_Guest_*
Posted 17 October 2004 - 11:25 PM
Hi,
My opinion for myself is that I need the quick fix so that I can mentally concentrate on what the root causes of this problem are. When one is in a state of deep depression, the only thing on one's mind is finding the strength to get out of bed in the morning, not what caused this lethargy. I have to function at a certain level to maintain my profession, which means I have to get out of bed and go to work...later I can keep that appointment with the therapist to see why I got into such a sad state...and what event may have triggered the past memories which are to blame. Hope others respond with another side of your issue.
My opinion for myself is that I need the quick fix so that I can mentally concentrate on what the root causes of this problem are. When one is in a state of deep depression, the only thing on one's mind is finding the strength to get out of bed in the morning, not what caused this lethargy. I have to function at a certain level to maintain my profession, which means I have to get out of bed and go to work...later I can keep that appointment with the therapist to see why I got into such a sad state...and what event may have triggered the past memories which are to blame. Hope others respond with another side of your issue.
#3
marina 
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Posted 18 October 2004 - 09:07 AM
Hi,
I think it is about balance and the severity of the symptoms. In order to function in everyday life, we need to alleviate the symptoms. I don't believe that depression and even psychosis is merely a biological imbalance so a chemical solution can only be temporary. I believe the biological changes are also a symptom. But if you need anti-depressants or medication etc to function then so be it - but dont use street drugs/alcohol/food etc.
I believe any medication should be combined with effective counselling to tackle BOTH the symptoms and the route causes. If you are lost in depression or even psychosis, the ability to deal with the route causes can be virtually impossible without help. How can you function on a day to day basis with insomnia. How can you function or even begin to tackle your emotions if you are suffering with delusions and dont know what reality is?
So it would depend on each individual circumstance and the severity of the problem and symptoms as to which is the best course of action. In my own life I have resisted any sort of medication, but in some ways that has been both ignorant and foolish of me, because I may have been able to tackle my problems a lot sooner had I been assisted with both medication and counselling. But I also have a fear of medication and worry that it may be addictive and also worry about side-effects and possible numbing of emotions, again making them difficult to deal with. My doctor has never suggested that I should take medication, but then, I dont really confide in him about my symptoms either!!
I think it is about balance and the severity of the symptoms. In order to function in everyday life, we need to alleviate the symptoms. I don't believe that depression and even psychosis is merely a biological imbalance so a chemical solution can only be temporary. I believe the biological changes are also a symptom. But if you need anti-depressants or medication etc to function then so be it - but dont use street drugs/alcohol/food etc.
I believe any medication should be combined with effective counselling to tackle BOTH the symptoms and the route causes. If you are lost in depression or even psychosis, the ability to deal with the route causes can be virtually impossible without help. How can you function on a day to day basis with insomnia. How can you function or even begin to tackle your emotions if you are suffering with delusions and dont know what reality is?
So it would depend on each individual circumstance and the severity of the problem and symptoms as to which is the best course of action. In my own life I have resisted any sort of medication, but in some ways that has been both ignorant and foolish of me, because I may have been able to tackle my problems a lot sooner had I been assisted with both medication and counselling. But I also have a fear of medication and worry that it may be addictive and also worry about side-effects and possible numbing of emotions, again making them difficult to deal with. My doctor has never suggested that I should take medication, but then, I dont really confide in him about my symptoms either!!
#4 Guest_crunch_*
Posted 20 October 2004 - 10:47 AM
Yes, you're right. I guess ultimately it would depend on one's circumstances. I can see how that is a sensible answer to me putting the question "which is the better approach", and I agree that we will need the help to get back on our feet in order to go and tackle the route of the problem.
Sometimes things can get so bad - ware us down so much that regular, all be it, temporary relief is the best we can hope for. But do we really want to go through our lives simply getting rid of - sweeping under the carpet - that which, no matter how horrible it may be in the worst of our misery, is actually drawing attention to a deeper issue that is unconciously keeping up down? Something that is totally unsympathetic to our conscious efforts to change and get better?
I am interested because what I have learned from Benjamin Fry's teaching on this site has so completely blown my mind that I can't help thinking of the entire suffering population that won't have the good fortune to encounter his ideas, and who may spend their lives downloading miracle-cures, or going to a doctor who will try and help them get rid of the symptoms. They will live their lives searching for and applying the quick fix. But now this guy comes along and basically says: "all your suffering - all your fear and your pain - is actually helping you to get better...!" This tells us we've been going in the wrong direction. I finally understand what make friends with your fear means. It all makes complete sense in my mind: how could anything that is happening to you, no matter how horrible and scary, possibly want to do you any harm?!!
Sometimes things can get so bad - ware us down so much that regular, all be it, temporary relief is the best we can hope for. But do we really want to go through our lives simply getting rid of - sweeping under the carpet - that which, no matter how horrible it may be in the worst of our misery, is actually drawing attention to a deeper issue that is unconciously keeping up down? Something that is totally unsympathetic to our conscious efforts to change and get better?
I am interested because what I have learned from Benjamin Fry's teaching on this site has so completely blown my mind that I can't help thinking of the entire suffering population that won't have the good fortune to encounter his ideas, and who may spend their lives downloading miracle-cures, or going to a doctor who will try and help them get rid of the symptoms. They will live their lives searching for and applying the quick fix. But now this guy comes along and basically says: "all your suffering - all your fear and your pain - is actually helping you to get better...!" This tells us we've been going in the wrong direction. I finally understand what make friends with your fear means. It all makes complete sense in my mind: how could anything that is happening to you, no matter how horrible and scary, possibly want to do you any harm?!!
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