Re: How do you get past the stigma of mental illness?

[Guest guest]

Hi Tara,

I empathize. What has really helped me is a book called The Compassionate Mind by Gilbert and the work of e Neff. She has a great website too - i think it's www.self-compassion.org . Both of these authors have given me a really good understanding of why beating ourselves up and feeling shame is just such a waste of time..

good luck

Simone

To: ACT_for_the_Public Sent: Sunday, 6 November 2011, 8:35Subject: How do you get past the stigma of mental illness?

I have just discovered ACT and The Happiness Trap as I have been struggling with negative beliefs/thoughts for years. It has recently worsened and I am having issues with anxiety and social phobia which I am finding very distressing. I guess one of the main issues for me is shame about how I feel. Yes I have started to use difusion to allay these feelings but at times it overwhelms me....i have moved from the UK to Australia to be with my partner and I think this has contributed to the increase in my negative feelings. I have generally kept these feelings hidden from everyone but my partner but of course people are often aware that something is 'wrong' with me. My partners family are opposed to him being with me because of the pressure put upon him on in trying to help me. I feel as though they think I'm a terrible person because of my 'issues' and I find it so hard to move forward knowing that those people close to my partner would rather I

wasn't here. I'm starting to think that I don't deserve my partner. Can anyone tell me how they have managed a similar situation?

[Guest guest]

...oh and Tara, take a look at this. I think ACT should be ACCT, Acceptance, Committment, Compassion, Therapy!

To: ACT_for_the_Public Sent: Sunday, 6 November 2011, 8:35Subject: How do you get past the stigma of mental illness?

I have just discovered ACT and The Happiness Trap as I have been struggling with negative beliefs/thoughts for years. It has recently worsened and I am having issues with anxiety and social phobia which I am finding very distressing. I guess one of the main issues for me is shame about how I feel. Yes I have started to use difusion to allay these feelings but at times it overwhelms me....i have moved from the UK to Australia to be with my partner and I think this has contributed to the increase in my negative feelings. I have generally kept these feelings hidden from everyone but my partner but of course people are often aware that something is 'wrong' with me. My partners family are opposed to him being with me because of the pressure put upon him on in trying to help me. I feel as though they think I'm a terrible person because of my 'issues' and I find it so hard to move forward knowing that those people close to my partner would rather I

wasn't here. I'm starting to think that I don't deserve my partner. Can anyone tell me how they have managed a similar situation?

[Guest guest]

What a video, who knew the muppets were so wise ;-) Thank you Simone, I'll certainly look into the website. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Tara Sent from my iPhone

...oh and Tara, take a look at this. I think ACT should be ACCT, Acceptance, Committment, Compassion, Therapy!

To: ACT_for_the_Public Sent: Sunday, 6 November 2011, 8:35Subject: How do you get past the stigma of mental illness?

I have just discovered ACT and The Happiness Trap as I have been struggling with negative beliefs/thoughts for years. It has recently worsened and I am having issues with anxiety and social phobia which I am finding very distressing. I guess one of the main issues for me is shame about how I feel. Yes I have started to use difusion to allay these feelings but at times it overwhelms me....i have moved from the UK to Australia to be with my partner and I think this has contributed to the increase in my negative feelings. I have generally kept these feelings hidden from everyone but my partner but of course people are often aware that something is 'wrong' with me. My partners family are opposed to him being with me because of the pressure put upon him on in trying to help me. I feel as though they think I'm a terrible person because of my 'issues' and I find it so hard to move forward knowing that those people close to my partner would rather I

wasn't here. I'm starting to think that I don't deserve my partner. Can anyone tell me how they have managed a similar situation?