tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post7373029083701263948..comments2023-10-19T09:36:41.506-05:00Comments on A Mormon Enigma: First visit with the shrinkAbelard Enigmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166049686152203530noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-3365220501801954092008-07-31T23:46:00.000-05:002008-07-31T23:46:00.000-05:00He also said that, since I am the type of person w...He also said that, since I am the type of person who tends to hold things in - which can have a negative effect on depression and anxiety levels - then talk therapy can help with that.<BR/><BR/>A couple of thoughts...<BR/><BR/>First, maybe a good goal would be work on being less of the type of person that holds things in.<BR/><BR/>Second, I wonder if you would be the same type of person if you Philiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00230261242977514599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-83532438744051785022008-07-28T11:20:00.000-05:002008-07-28T11:20:00.000-05:00Adam: Many moons ago, I attended Evergreen in Prov...Adam: <BR/><BR/>Many moons ago, I attended Evergreen in Provo… I still remember walking into that room, wondering if there would be anyone I knew, sitting there. It was scary. But you quickly realize that there's nothing to fear. About a year into my stint at Evergreen, someone I knew did walk in the door… and it was a pleasure to see them, and to be there for them.Silus Grokhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10934750518150584644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-78547331674765681552008-07-28T10:40:00.000-05:002008-07-28T10:40:00.000-05:00Wow, you've obviously resonated with a lot of us i...Wow, you've obviously resonated with a lot of us in this post Abe. The slice of real life chronicle of your therapy session is just the sort of thing that is so great about people sharing their honest thoughts and experiences without any pretense. We all get to benefit a little from your adventure.<BR/><BR/>My therapist wants me to go to a group thing with other married gay guys and stand up Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-68359126084832731062008-07-27T11:06:00.000-05:002008-07-27T11:06:00.000-05:00I'm off to eat a brownie.Ummm, chocolate! I love ...<I>I'm off to eat a brownie.</I><BR/><BR/>Ummm, chocolate! I love chocolate - no, I crave chocolate. Especially dark chocolate. Have you tried the new <A HREF="http://www.hersheys.com/bliss/" REL="nofollow">Hershey's Bliss</A>? (their answer to Dove Chocolate)Abelard Enigmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166049686152203530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-36638579707764637732008-07-26T19:46:00.000-05:002008-07-26T19:46:00.000-05:00Abe,I'm cheering you on for taking action on this!...Abe,<BR/><BR/>I'm cheering you on for taking action on this! Rather than staying home in a funk, you're putting it out there and asking for help. I applaud you!<BR/><BR/>I've slipped into a downer myself this week. I'm a little scared that it isn't going to lift. It's been awhile since I've taken a dive this deep. <BR/><BR/>I've seen therapists off and on over the years. They have been very Silverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11403824626444395199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-33317123723470664632008-07-26T12:12:00.000-05:002008-07-26T12:12:00.000-05:00two reason I can think of for the couch:more relax...two reason I can think of for the couch:<BR/><BR/>more relaxed laying stretched out, and the more relaxed, the easier it is to free associate.<BR/><BR/>easier to avoid eye contact with patient on couch and therapist taking notes at desk. less eye contact, less interpersonal relationships, very important in traditional psychoanalysis, transference and all that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-14154723639199793082008-07-25T23:12:00.000-05:002008-07-25T23:12:00.000-05:00Therapy: yay!Dilbert: hee!Therapy: yay!<BR/><BR/>Dilbert: hee!Silus Grokhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10934750518150584644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-42837554604844172352008-07-25T21:55:00.000-05:002008-07-25T21:55:00.000-05:00FWIW, I share your cynicism. This is something I'...FWIW, I share your cynicism. This is something I've thought about for a long time and have always dismissed it. But, I feel like I have to do something because my depression is not getting any better. I've been taking antidepressants for several years, so this isn't supposed to happen. But, I don't think it is because I'm gay that I'm feeling this way, at least not directly. So, I'm taking aAbelard Enigmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166049686152203530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-89349849980981050122008-07-25T21:04:00.000-05:002008-07-25T21:04:00.000-05:00I didn't mean to over-analyze the situation. I ce...I didn't mean to over-analyze the situation. I certainly want to be there cheering you on in taking this step! You should be commended. I didn't mean to be insensitive, nor imply that everything is "hunky-dory" in Beck's world. I'm just cynical of the professional world. Please know that I'm more than thrilled to see you being pro-active!Beckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06159223254071653666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-23250590646786001202008-07-25T18:14:00.000-05:002008-07-25T18:14:00.000-05:00I also thought a little bit like Beck, well, if he...I also thought a little bit like Beck, well, if he is there to tell him what is the deal with his life, then what's he doing there? Then I realized that in spite of one knowing these things, there is still the factor of depression (which is very real--runs in families even) and how to deal with that little factor. Love your cartoons!Public Lonelinesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11212960226511408147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-25726835240787408512008-07-25T17:45:00.000-05:002008-07-25T17:45:00.000-05:00I remember telling my bishop here in San Antonio.....I remember telling my bishop here in San Antonio... I didn't really know the guy, and he didn't even know my name. I think that made it a bit easier for me to talk about it.<BR/><BR/>Abe, it's good to hear you are doing the things that you need to in order to be happy. Keep it up :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01226208429329312021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-72508161608238352132008-07-25T17:06:00.000-05:002008-07-25T17:06:00.000-05:00I think you're over analyzing the situation. I di...I think you're over analyzing the situation. I didn't go to see a therapist because "I'm okay with being gay, and married, and committed." I went because I'm feeling depressed and lonely; so, my goal is to not feel depressed and lonely. I just felt that my gayness was need-to-know information for the therapist as it may be a factor in how I'm feeling; but, it was not the main focus of our Abelard Enigmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166049686152203530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956057989227103850.post-23650404118189641842008-07-25T16:57:00.000-05:002008-07-25T16:57:00.000-05:00Fascinating!I'm intrigued by what you may gain fro...Fascinating!<BR/><BR/>I'm intrigued by what you may gain from this experience. Seeing clinical value for your depression is one thing. But, do you have goals of what you wish to achieve regarding being gay, married, and quite committed to the way things are? What do you hope to accomplish? <BR/><BR/>My battle in going back to a therapist is to determine what the reason is to go in the first Beckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06159223254071653666noreply@blogger.com