tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31979919.post1248934974942566258..comments2023-08-15T04:42:11.812-07:00Comments on Write Out of Depression: Elizabeth Maynard Schaefer, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05938534176137974344noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31979919.post-61109914104540568982007-12-12T13:21:00.000-08:002007-12-12T13:21:00.000-08:00Hi Derrick,Yes, I'm with you completely -- after a...Hi Derrick,<BR/>Yes, I'm with you completely -- after a certain point, which is different for each person, writers definitely do need readers. I think that's a great insight. My guess is that it means you're at that point. In my opinion, it's good that you've shown even a little of your writing to others. How was that? If it wasn't positive, I'd find someone more supportive next time, such as another person with a mood disorder. There's also always blogging... I DO need readers too, for much of my writing (though I do some journaling just for me). I don't know where you are located, but if you're in an urban or suburban area of the US, you might consider submitting some of your writing to a local NAMI or DBSA newsletter and see how that feels. It can be very gratifying when someone says, "Yeah, that's just how I feel, but you were able to put it into words!" (Also see my recent posting on what to do with your writing for other ideas.) Your comments are very precise and succinct -- I don't see why people wouldn't love to read your work.<BR/><BR/>Stay in touch,<BR/>Beth<BR/>P.S. -- As far as CBT goes, my feeling is if it helps me feel better and it's not dangerous, I don't care if it's "real" or "true." For me, CBT has been a good addition to my various coping techniques; it makes me feel less out-of-control.Elizabeth Maynard Schaefer, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05938534176137974344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31979919.post-62881036222906041172007-12-12T10:15:00.000-08:002007-12-12T10:15:00.000-08:00I've had many moments of insight, especially latel...I've had many moments of insight, especially lately. I've been writing and reading voraciously. Unfortunately, the nature of mood disorders creates distrust of my own thoughts,ideas and emotions. If I have a thought and feel good about it, a voice in my head is telling me that its just a manic phase. I can never really tell what's me, what's the medication, what the disease. Maybe its all me. With depression, we are always trying to 'fix' ourselves. The underlying belief being that there is something wrong that needs fixing. Its difficult to have a good, positive sense of myself with this belief. CBT tells us that such thoughts are mistaken or distorted and they can be replaced in order to feel better. How do we know if that is true or real. Maybe these thoughts (i.e. I can't be a writer, researcher, or poet because I have no talent) are real. I get so mixed up in my head.<BR/><BR/>While watching a movie this morning, I had a moment of insight. Writers don't just want to write. They want people to read what they write. Without being published, the writing is all in our notebooks or in our head. I am a writer. I have essays, poems, and satirical pieces crammed into my notebooks. With the rare exception of friends and family, no one knows what's inside. My aha moment is that writers live with desperate need to be heard. This need may come from insecurity, low self-esteem, or a genuine belief that they have something valuable to say. Whatever it is, writers need readers.Derrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06501904472342435107noreply@blogger.com