Sort of OT: Positive Thinking when ill | Arthritis Information

 

I always supsected as much:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/86279.php
http://
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/86279.php

Still, life is better when you focus on what's good today instead of what might be bad tomorrow. Well, I can't speak for everybody, but that's how I look at it.

I have to agree with your assessment, I like to think of myself as a cautiously
optimistic person. Plus, adversity is a chance to grow.

< =text/>_popupControl(); I really never thought that the power of positive thinking would extend my life, but I do feel that it helps make it a whole lot easier to deal with.  I also feel that it does help with recovery from illnesses or surgeries. 

Lately I had wavered from positive thinking to being just really negative about my situation.  Now that I look back...the days I was thinking more positively I felt better pain wise etc.  I guess for me, thinking positively just helps me get along better in any given situation. 

GrammaS, I don't blame you for being negative sometimes because it
sounds like you've really had a very rough go of it lately. Sometimes it
takes a lot of energy to be positive, and people just don't have it in them
to be that along with dealing with everything else.

I used to have an issue with HAVING to be positive all the time---I think
there's room and benefit to all emotions, and it's unfair to expect people
to supress their negative emotions or to belittle their negative feelings,
especially when they are dealing with painful, life-threatening, or chronic
illness.

There's a danger, too, of blaming people for their own health prognosis
because they're not being "positive" enough. So in a way, this study is
useful to dispell that myth.

But I agree that life is better when we have a posiitve approach.Yeah, I'd have to agree.  Everybody gets down sometimes and their is often good reason to be.  It's not like it's bad to be sad.  I guess I'm talking more about dwelling on the bad things.  Ya know, always looking at what's wrong and missing out on what's right and as the pattern for your life.

I've always been suspicious of "positive thinking".  For me, it becomes an excuse to suppress my feelings and pretend that everything is OK.  I think it depends a lot on your personality type.  I tend to be a cautious person...not really negative, but not what I would call a natural positive thinker.  I don't want to go in denial again...that didn't help at all the first time!

Alan

Well I guess I am the resident Polly Anna but I think attitude is extremely important in how we experience our lives.  We all have times when we are depressed and down, and need to cry and wallow a bit.  That is a healthy release of emotions.  But we need to purge and then get going and regroup.  Look at the things in your life you can adjust or change to make your experience a happier one.  Sometimes it is something as small as how you treat others, and are treated in return. 

When you cling to your sadness, and start to see yourself as a victim, then a very unhealthy, self-fulfilling cycle begins.  There are times when you just have to push forward, as hard as it is, and tell yourself that even though today is a really crummy day, and tomorrow might be too, there are parts of today that are wonderful.  And those wonderful parts will pull you through to days where most of the day is wonderful and only little parts are crummy. 

But sometimes folks need help doing that.  Medication, therapy, family and friend's involvement and support are things that can help the person who has reached a point where they can't help themselves.  But that is often difficult because the depressed person doesn't see what others see, and thinks no one understands.  They push away those who are trying to help.

We all have the right to pursue happiness - but it is a pursuit. 

See Karen.  That's what I think, but you said it better

My natural tendancy is to "look on the bright side".  I think it's annoying to people sometimes.  But my experience is that things always work out in the end.  I don't like to worry because nothing comes from it.  Plus, I find that even the "bad" things serve a purpose.  I don't like having RA, for instance, but even in that, their are several things that have come from it that have been blessings to me.  In some ways it's made me a better person and I'm thankful for that.

But that's just me.  And most people think I'm a little weird.

First, I believe a positive attitude towards our treatment is an absolute necessity. If we embrace the advice and meds offered by our specialists we have a chance. No good calling them "stupid" which some do, they are all part of a long and dificult process. My rheumy said that a patient who says "I'm sick, what can we do about it?" has a better chance than one who moans and groans because things don't happen quickly enough.

As for how you "feel" about your illness, by all means throw things at the wall and cry for help - it's a tough road we're travelling and sometimes the bumps are almost unbearable. That's when, after a while, it's time to  pick ourselves up and think positively - "it could be worse, etc."

The danger, as I see it, is to dwell too long on the "dark side" of pain and suffering and become totally introspective about it all.

I've just spent a week in intensive care which gave me plenty of time to think about pain, life, the future and attitudes.

Some of my ideas are still gelling - meanwhile, happier days for everyone, the suffering is real, we cope as best we can - cheers, Des.

 

 

Dessy, I had not heard about you being in the hospital!!!  Did I miss it, have you already posted about it?

I'm so sorry - this sounds very serious.  How are you doing?  I can certainly see how that would change your perspective on things!

Hillhoney, no, I hadn't posted re the hospital before, still recovering and still feel weak and confused. Thanks for your concern - Des.
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