Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Mental Health (Expert Forum)
learning to feel
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
learning to feel
by Mary, Feb 14, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Doctor,
I am 26 and since I was a little girl I've been approvingly described as too serious and grown-up. Rightly so, especially for the "serious" part, as it is difficult for me to be really excited, or sad, or happy, and even more difficult to show this. Recently I have met people who I really love, and who made me want to change, that is not to be so cold.
I've been trying to do this for months, but I can't, it is like I have an invisible wall to feel and to express or share feelings.
Is there something I can do except hate myself and be depressed?Or it is rather late, it is considered that it's difficult for grown-up people to change.
I am 26 and since I was a little girl I've been approvingly described as too serious and grown-up. Rightly so, especially for the "serious" part, as it is difficult for me to be really excited, or sad, or happy, and even more difficult to show this. Recently I have met people who I really love, and who made me want to change, that is not to be so cold.
I've been trying to do this for months, but I can't, it is like I have an invisible wall to feel and to express or share feelings.
Is there something I can do except hate myself and be depressed?Or it is rather late, it is considered that it's difficult for grown-up people to change.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Feb 15, 2001 12:00AM
, Feb 15, 2001 12:00AM
Mary, it is definitely not too late to change..in fact, you are just beginning your adult change odyssey. What you describe is the problem everyone faces to some degree...how to transform yourself from the survival identity you adopted as a child to the person you want to and can be.
This happens when you are confronted with the exact kind of challenge you described. Find a therapist or a group to help you move this forward.
If you want to start now, go to my Mastering Stress program and I will start you on your way.
This happens when you are confronted with the exact kind of challenge you described. Find a therapist or a group to help you move this forward.
If you want to start now, go to my Mastering Stress program and I will start you on your way.
