Reminder Symptoms

I can't believe I will celebrate a birthday soon and mark more than 10 years of Recovery training as well in just a few days. When I came into Recovery in June 1999 I was overweight, chronically depressed, anxious and irritable. Each day, I took several medications for these and other nervous symptoms. I didn't think life had anything good in store for me and each day passed in a bland sort of misery.

In the last 10 years, my life has improved in untold ways, mainly because of what I've learned in all those Recovery meetings I've attended plus the Recovery books and from the wisdom of the veteran members, those I've met and those from the early days of RI. And most of my days now are almost symptom free, or if I have symptoms, I spot on them and they're gone.

Sometimes, though, they hang on and right now is one of those times. I'm going through some unusual events, which probably accounts for their tenacity. In RI, we learn that what's experienced seems worse than what's remembered, so if I have symptoms now, they seem worse than the ones I had years ago, even if they're mild now. Another secure thought I like is that return of the symtoms doesn't mean a return of the illness (I didn't put this in quotes because I don't have the book in front of me and didn't want to misquote it, but I've heard and seen several variations of it in meetings and in the books).

So I'll keep endorsing for my efforts, attend meetings, spot my temper, and practice, practice, practice.

Comments

  1. Cliff BrownSeptember 3, 2009 at 5:32 PM

    Hello Nervous Girl,

    Hope you have a wonderful birthday. It is clear that you have come a long way and it didn't happen by accident or "fate." You came to Recovery, got exposed to the Method and made a decision to really make a business of your mental health, perhaps in a way you hadn't done before, and it has made a huge difference in your life. And that is average for the Method: to make a huge difference in the life of a person who chooses to practice it with patience and perseverance. You are a big-time WINNER! CONGRATULATIONS!

    All my best,

    Cliff Brown

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2009 at 6:13 PM

    Dear NG,

    Happy birthday and happy 10-year Recovery anniversary! You're a testament to the power of the Method. As you say, your symptoms are reminder symptoms and nothing more. Possibly a bit of a setback--but Dr. Low says to expect the setback and not make an issue of it, and you're not. You're a good businesswoman--good at the business of your mental health!
    Keep endorsing,
    Pas Une Sainte

    ReplyDelete
  3. LauraSeptember 9, 2009 at 8:59 AM

    I love hearing about your gains over the last 10 years. Continue to endorse for all the effort, bear the discomfort of the reminder symptoms, continue to move your muscles and DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT INDICTING YOURSELF. This will only further your symptoms. Drop all danger, diagnosing and judgement and TEMPER. One last spot that has helped me alot is to take a ho-hum attitude towards my symptoms. Happy Birthday girl and Happy 10 Years in Recovery. It has changed my life forever!
    Laura in Utah

    ReplyDelete
  4. nervousgirlSeptember 15, 2009 at 4:17 PM

    Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday.

    ReplyDelete
  5. JAYJanuary 25, 2010 at 6:14 AM

    A little late But Happy Birthday....ENDORSE FOR HONEST BLOGGING......While in symtoms u still move your muscles

    ReplyDelete

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