Posted by calla on July 22, 2001, at 12:11:05
In reply to Phil: Get off the pity pot and go to a meeting!, posted by Shar on July 22, 2001, at 9:43:33
The people at the Recovery, Inc. meeting I went to would not have told anyone to "get off the pity pot." That's a phrase I've heard used in 12 step circles, not Recovery. The book does sound that way though, and is strange in other ways—even the style it's written in.
Also, some of the people attending mentioned in conversation before the meeting that they were on meds. I didn't get the sense that anyone was anti-med. Nothing like that is discussed as part of the formal meeting, which is pretty structured.
In the meeting, each person who wanted to talked about an experience they had that week, how they reacted to it and how they were able to keep their reaction from turning into (for example) a full blow panic attack or deepening their depression, etc., using the Recovery Inc. techniques.
These techniques are about being aware of thoughts and feelings as they happen. Participants discuss their problems in the group's lingo, which as I said before is also strange. It would seem cult-like except they aren't trying to convince anyone of anything or get money from them so I don't sense any underlying nefarious purpose.
Any comments other participants made were supportive, positive, and helpful. No one had to talk if they didn't want to.
The reason I think Recovery, Inc. techniques might be helpful is that (at least in theory) they give those who practice them more control of their reactions to things that happen in daily life. If you have ever used the daily mood log in Dr. David Burn's book Feeling Good, where you list negative thoughts and come up with less distorted, more rational and less negative ones you'll have a sense of how this might work, except that it also provides group support.
That being said, I only went to one meeting so Recovery, Inc. might be worse or better overall than the impression I got of it. One thing I'm sure of is that they need an image overhaul.
> Phil,
> Hmmmmm,
> After reading Lorraine's post about chronic complainers....you sure you still want to go? Guess I feel concerned about you getting a lot of condescending "get over it" talk.
>
> I know they must use the illegal phrase "pity pot" in their meetings. If you do go---keep your expectations of support really low, ok? Then you won't get disappointed.
>
> take care,
> Shar
>
>
>
>
> > > > Phil: Do let us know. I think I have their book and it kind of scared me. But they do meet locally here and I could use some support so I'll be interested in your experiences.
> > >
> > > I'll let you know. I'm kinda apprehensive. I used to go to Al-Anon and others but had never heard of Recovery Inc.
> > > Do you remember what scared you about the book?
> >
> > Yeah, I do. It says things like "Such 'experienced sufferers' have made the rounds of physicians and clinics...They know that some or most of the past therapies had a transient palliative effect. The palpitations were milder after a reassuring talk; the dizziness yeilded to a sedative. Hence, they treasure the 'pep-talk' or the prescription. In order to secure these elusive aids, they must complain; they must convince the professional that they 'really' suffer, that their pains are not imaginary, that they can positively 'not stand' their fatigue....Complaining, then, becomes a vital part of their daily rutine. In the course of years, they develop the consummate art of the 'expert complainer'. What these long-term patients crave is a sympathetic ear which, after years of griping, they can no longer secure from their relatives and friends. They delight in a lengthy discussion of their fears and frustrations....The 'chronicity' of this group has litter to do with the nature of the symptoms, with diagnosis or etiology; it is self-appointed defeatism". p.24 of Mental Health Through Will-Training by Abraham A. Low, M.D., founder of Recovery, Inc.
> >
> > Course this was written in 1950. Times were different and Recovery, Inc. was established as a self-help group. Over the course of the last 50 years, they may have established some pretty effective self help techniques and come into the new century with the view that mental illness is a medical problem requiring treatment as well as individual motivation.
poster:calla
thread:7543
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010717/msgs/7755.html