
336: Perfectionism, Part 2 of 2
Feeling Good Podcast | TEAM-CBT - The New Mood Therapy
Is There a Miracle Cure for Depression?
I think I was a little, maybe kind of lonely, you know, growing up to think back for a variety of reasons. And being busy is really distracting me from that. So putting back what is missing, maybe that would be the miracle cure. Mm hmm. Yes, Marius, when you say that, I mean, literally it brought tears to my eyes. Yeah. Right now. That's why I feel so warm and close to you, Marius. I feel close to both very much. But first to put some more life in my life. It seems like there are too many people who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but don't actually suffer any physical effects
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Mariusz and his wife, Aleksandra, who is also a psychiatrist. Personal Work with Mariusz, Part 2 Mariusz and his wondaful family. Last week, you heard Part 1 of the personal work that Rhonda and I did with Dr. Mariusz Wirga, which included initial T = Testing and E = Empathy. Today, you'll hear the conclusion of our work, including the Assessment of Resistance, Methods, final Testing and follow-up. I am repeating this darling photo Mariusz's beloved cat, with his tail strait up, showing pride and love for Mariusz! Orangina at her favorite scratching post, with tail straight in the air to show pride and love for Mariusz! A = Assessment of Resistance Once we empathized, we issued a Straightforward Invitation, asking Mariusz if he needed more time to talk and have us listen, or was ready to focus on the problem and see what we might do to help. Mariusz wanted to get to work, and said his goal for the session was to reduce his perfectionism, but when I asked the Magic Button question, he said he would not press it, even if the Magic Button would bring about a sudden and dramatic elimination of all of his negative thoughts and feelings. So, together, we listed the many positives and advantages of his negative thoughts and feelings, including:
- My anxiety keeps me on my toes.
- My feelings of inadequacy keep me humble.
- My hopelessness protects me from disappointment in the session with Rhonda and David isn’t effective.
- My hopelessness and loneliness show how much I care.
- My hopelessness shows how helpless I feel to free myself from the many pressures and heavy weights I have been carrying for many years.
- My negative thoughts and feelings show how much I care for others, including my wife and kids.
- My suffering with depression and anxiety increases my compassion and understanding of my patients who are suffering and frightened.
- My anxiety protects me from danger.
- My anxiety is motivating.
- My self-criticisms show that I have high standards.
- My loneliness shows that I welcome intimacy and close relationships.
- My sadness shows that I am realistic and willing to look at the dark side of life.
- You’re unreliable.
- We won’t include you anymore.
- We hate you.
- We reject you.
- We’ll tell the world about you.
- Finish your Daily Mood Log in writing, completing the Positive Thoughts and make sure you’ve crushed all of you negative thoughts.
- Experiment with being open and vulnerable with loved ones (wife and family) as well as colleagues.
- Practice saying no to colleagues who make requests on your time, and cut down on activities that are not cost-effective.