Natural Alternatives

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:42 am

Journaling is vital and if you can lift the thoughts that contain the thinking errors that cause your anxiety and depression from your journal and counter them in a TEA form it will speed up your progress even more

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:40 am

Don,
As a perfectionist and former English teacher, I am highly critical of my writing. Even as a little girl I could not keep a personal journal for fear of whose eyes may be digesting it next. The only writing I've EVER done for sheer pleasure is when I travel, and even then I expect my reflections to be clever, witty, and exceptional.

In fact, it took me a long time to simply begin posting without making a conscious effort at precision/perfection (neither attainable, I know). Therefore, I consider my written participation an achievement AND and an alternative compromise. Unlike the conventional journal, I candidly post my experiences/thoughts/feelings/questions not only for feedback but in hopes of helping and/or informing others. I consider this to be my "interactive" journal.

For many like you, journaling is catharic; for me, writing is quite stressful. I know precisely what I am thinking and feeling and see a psychologist regularly. I also know the considerable progress I've made altering this program to fit MY needs. I will not be guilted into doing what I am "supposed to."

This said, I hope there is no ill will. Frankly, I'm only responding for anyone else like me who is sincere about getting healthy but elects to modify the program.
Fischee

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:39 pm

Fischee,
I can understand what you mean. My writing is terrible. I need to get better at it. My boyfriend is the way you are. One time he was sitting watching me type a post on this site and i was getting self conscience. I was ready to press "send now" and he was like "You're not going to post that are you??!!" HAHA! It's because i write how I talk I guess. At least on here. Not when I am writing a paper. But in my journal i write just how I talk. But it was funny because he wanted to correct it for me and I was getting so upset. I was like I don't care as long as I get the point across. He said people judge you tremendously form your writing . . So I can see how it can be so stressful for my boyfriend because he is a perfectionist and for you too. Especially since you were an English teacher. Journaling is good for some and maybe not so good for some. . Maybe you can teach me to wrote better he he. I know I need to take a writing class for sure.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:41 pm

Haha i already can see some corrections I need to make on my last post. I need to start proof reading before posting haha!

AnnetteW · Post by **AnnetteW** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:17 pm

Holly,
I think you are very articulate, and your writing clearly conveys your ideas. Plus, I love reading your posts

.

I'm not judgemental of others' writing, just my own. I'm trying to get over this whole perfectionism thing, but sometimes it takes everything in me not to grab a dictionary or "correct" my entry after after posting.

Writing on these boards should be informal and conversational, and sometimes I feel like I'm an uptight, old biddy (ie. English teacher- HA! Yes, I do have long hair and frequently wear it in a low bun...

)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:38 pm

Emily, as a teacher, you may recall the wording better than I do, so correct me where I stray: Mark Twain said the best writing is Talk Wrote Down.
Meanwhile:
I checked this post out because I wonder if anyone takes, or has good or bad things to say, about SAMe? Supposedly it increases our neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine and norepinephrine?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:43 pm

Aww Thank you Fischee. And I too wonder about SAMe. I ahve heard of st.johns wort and 5htp. . but not on SAMe