You know I find it so much easier trying to help other people than myself. No I've never done the life story thing. I have been encouraged to write a letter to myself, but I've never managed that one either!
I once tried to conplete a CBT task from a book where I was supposed to identify my traumatic experiences, or certainly ones I remember having a particularly bad impact on my mental health, I think I got to about 17 and I was still going through my teenage years, by which pli t was overwhelmed by the things that had an impact in my life. But I was later told by a few therapists not to bother going there unless I felt needed to? I'm not sure if I do. It would be nice if mental health services had actually provided me with some extra one to one therapy after I fucked up my last suicide, but I did manage to get some group DBT and a few classes on stuff, but it's mostly been based on ways to manage everyday life than looking back. I guess that's CBT based therapies for you. I've always found the tasks quite easy. except for that write a letter thing.... I just couldn't do it, it's the one thing that I struggled with.
I have learned to be kinder to myself generally and also a lot about the way the mind works through the recovery college for service users. I volunteer there now, although that's another thing I won't be able to do without a car. I might have a think about the life story thing. What is it supposed to achieve? Is forgiveness the main aim? I know I have been through a ton of shit, but I also realise how lucky I am in other ways, some people have had a much harder life than me. One thing I got from the latest round of DBT is Acceptance. I remember a quote from the lady who created it about life being like a game of cards, you just get what you're dealt and just getting upset about the result doesn't achieve anything, you just have to work with what you have got. Sounds so simple doesn't it. In theory.
Anyway I'm rambling on a bit, I'm great at giving other people advice, talking about therapyand techniques, but I find it so much harder applying things when I'm upset - and I get upset a lot! I could do with doing some work arpund addiction, I've never done any as I kept it quiet (and for good reasons too).
I'm seriously all ears about anything you have tried / works well / or any suggestions. I appreciate your help
I'm back on the straight and narrow after relapse no 3 (which I still feel super guilty about) but life moves on, it was my bad reaction to being shafted by mental health services, but at least I didn't do lots of benzos cry and go to bed for a few days which used to be my old way of 'dealing with things' like an idiot! I just hope I dont feel shitt for too long again, back to the drawing board.what the fuck sm I doing with my life and this DVLA SHITE.