Codependency Support Group
Codependency is defined as someone who exhibits too much, and often inappropriate, caring for another person's struggles. A codependent person may try to change, or feel shame about their most private thoughts and feelings if they conflict with the other person's struggles. If you are on a journey towards self-love, this support group is for you. Join us and find others...
...turns out she's well-versed in the treatment of Dependent Personality Disorder. And get this...she's known for almost 2 years that I have it. She even put it in my chart and never told me that I have it! WTH? She told me that when you tell most clients that they have some disorder or other they freak out and go nuts. Well, it sure knocked me for a loop, but I'm the kind of person who needs to understand things. I need to know why I have the feelings that I have and why I do the things I do. It helps me to know what is going on.
So after all that searching and reading I did last night and this morning I have a better grasp on my various dysfunctions. Now comes the process of treating this thing. I think I'm going to approach the traits of DPD the same way you would approach the traits of codependency. One step at a time. Self-awareness of my behaviors and feelings. Throw away the negative self-talk. Even go through the CoDa book and do all the steps and everything, and just incorporate the traits of DPD into the process. Who knows. It could be a game-changer. My therapist thinks it's a good idea.
What a relief to finally know after 30 years of wondering why I do all these things. It actually has a name. The diagnosis has been named.
So after all that searching and reading I did last night and this morning I have a better grasp on my various dysfunctions. Now comes the process of treating this thing. I think I'm going to approach the traits of DPD the same way you would approach the traits of codependency. One step at a time. Self-awareness of my behaviors and feelings. Throw away the negative self-talk. Even go through the CoDa book and do all the steps and everything, and just incorporate the traits of DPD into the process. Who knows. It could be a game-changer. My therapist thinks it's a good idea.
What a relief to finally know after 30 years of wondering why I do all these things. It actually has a name. The diagnosis has been named.
SHAME on her for not telling you her suspicions. You have the right to know what's in your chart.
I'd be very angry, but you seem just glad to have insight at this time.
Maybe now was when you were ready to hear it, so that's why she shared it. Still...
Hugs.
The one caveat about DPD is that by its very nature it makes the patient not want to get well so that he or she can continue to be taken care of. The recovery rate is only 1 to 2 percent. But I don't have the luxury of not getting well. The current circumstances in my life demand that I recover. That is quite an up hill battle but I am determined to recover.
Thank you again so much for the words of encouragement and especially for the hugs. They are much needed.
Everything I've read about DPD seems to indicate that the great majority of the recovery has to take place outside of the therapist's office. There's not a whole lot that can be done in a therapy session except Cognitive Behavior, assertiveness training and encouragement to keep working on my recovery in the outside world. So it's largely up to me with the help of great support systems like this group. It's very exciting and yes, I have been feeling really scared, but I still feel confident enough to start working on my recovery.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me and for being a friend!