Getting A Hold of Myself

[Fish and Chips]

I'd like to preface this by saying that while this is a subject I'm comfortable with discussing, I'm not fond of doing so. To lay my own prejudices bare, I offer consider the sort of people who do this to be gunning for an excuse and vindications for their behavior. I disapprove of using psychology for personal justification, and will not codone myself to do so, or anyone who tries to apply it similarly.

I am also not an expert or even a rudimentary student of the science of psychology, so please refrain from bringing too much of that to play (unless you're one of the maybe four people on CAA who is actually reasonably well read on the subject).

I've had to come to grips with several character flaws of mine this previous year, some of which have lead me to become more reclusive on the boards and even somewhat more aggressive and antagonistic towards others, swapping my usual good humored snappiness for a more malicious, malcontent tone. I have behaved inexcusably on occasion, and the rest of the time shut myself away from everyone, even the few people I somehow didn't manage to chase away forever.

I am becoming increasingly convinced that I suffer from an inferiority complex, or something comparable since self-diagnostics is a short-lived field. I topple under questions of self-adequacy and deny my own worth as a human being on occasion, including having a severe inability to do anything for its own sake, but rather for necessity of an audience, someone important to me, or percieved as better than me, leading me to snap sharply when I feel ignored, betrayed, or alone, which is more often than I'd like to admit, breeding suspicion, depression, and anger.

I have behaved in a way unfitting of one of Christ, for which I request, if nothing else, the consideration of this explanation adequate, if lacking.

[freerock1]

God bless you for your honesty and your heart, my brother. I'm praying for you that God will give you wisdom to address with Him these areas in your life that aren't the way they ought to be, even coming to repentance where necessary, but that God would also give you the clarity to know and trust that you are forgiven all your sins.

(And for the record, I haven't personally witnessed anything negative that I recall out of you.)

[Tsukuyomi]

*Is still here and will be at the Usual Spot* ^__^

You should already know you have my prayers (and my ears if ranting is in order) ^__^ I hope you feel better and come back to us (believe it or not, but there are a few of us who miss talking to you) ^__^?

Like I said, The Usual Spot

[goldenspines]

I echo Lucky on all accounts, most notably that there are indeed people that miss talking to you when you're not around and that I, as well, am always willing to listen when you want to rant/talk/make random emotes/etc. Feel free to message me any time at all, seriously.

[ShiroiHikari]

I still like you.

[minakichan]

Fish, maybe you should talk to a shrink. I don't really believe in them that much but at least it's trying something.

Although you may occasionally try to too cool, it doesn't make us not like you and at least you realize it. You're fine, you'll be fine.

[Makachop^^128]

Will pray ^^

also instead of a shrink try a counselor, I have to go to one, but it's more like talk to a friend or a mother or father then a doctor.

[Sheol777]

Hey Fish, I know we haven't spoken in a while. Honestly.....I like your posts and I also think you are to hard on yourself. Granted I do not see EVERYTHING you post, but I think you are an alright guy.

However, I cannot judge your heart. Confession is good for the soul...so good on ya. The rest is between you and God.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

Sir, I don't know if you peeked in on the thread I posted here last friday, but I think that you and I have followed very similar paths this year. If you want to talk, even just to vent, ring me up. In the mean time, I'll be praying. You've not chased me away. You're still among my favorite people on the boards, perhaps for that same snappiness. Like I said, if you need to talk...

[shooraijin]

Fish, maybe you should talk to a shrink. I don't really believe in them that much but at least it's trying something.

Actually, a psychiatrist (MD) would probably not be too helpful since this isn't a medication question (TTBOMK), and even a psychologist wouldn't be really that useful here either since their main role is to elucidate the problem and it sounds like Fish has done that already. Sure, they can suggest ways to improve, but for personality traits I'm not sure how much they could offer.

With regard to this request, I'm glad to hear the self-insight.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Sure, they can suggest ways to improve, but for personality traits I'm not sure how much they could offer.

I feel that I have to disagree on this to an extent. I understand the jist of what you're saying, and you do have a point. Much psychology focuses on the root of the problem. But much also offers various treatments.

Many therapists concentrate on Albert Ellis' Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. The idea is that our behavior is a reflection of our cognitive. Now if our actual cognition is challenged or at least altered by choice, our behavior would produce different outcomes. There's also William Glassner's Reality Therapy.

As for personality theory, the most effective theory in my opinion would be the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator, which categorizes our cognitive functions into four letters. Since behavior is often a reflection of our cognition, I think the rest kind of follows suit with a form of therapy most suitable for the individual.

Now I will give you this. It is my belief that many mental health practitioners do not seek what the best type of therapy would be for each individual because they are so confident in their own idea of their treatment, hence why often times therapy can produce very little positive results. I think the "personality type" of the practitioner is a factor to the efficiency of their profession to their clients.