People come to Recovery from a variety of backgrounds and with a wide array of problems. While we don't spend time delving into the causes of our nervous conditions, we are able to discuss the symptoms that we experience and things we can do to improve our lives.
The fundamental idea is that mood disorders, like depression, anxiety, stress, panic attacks, feelings of hopelessness and anger, can be addressed through changing the way that we think, what we say and how we behave. Nurturing self control, independence and confidence is fundamental to the method. Abraham Low's books are well established, the group was originally founded in 1937. Today most people would recognise the method as a variation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy presented in a group format.
At Recovery meetings we discuss strategies for managing our behaviours despite unpleasant feelings. The ultimate goal is a peaceful life, although there are many steps required to get there. Self control is never so simple as telling someone to simply "get over it" or that their problems aren't so bad. We acknowledge that the suffering of nervous individuals can be quite severe, and that effort is required to learn new strategies for coping.
In recent years mindfulness training techniques have been discussed in a variety of venues with a range of goals including improving awareness, dealing with fear and anger, and refining mental focus. In Recovery we talk about spotting tempers, which can be thought of as a single application of a mindfulness technique. Spotting is the Recovery term for being aware of when you have lost your temper and are moving into either an angry state or a fearful state. We focus on learning how to observe our internal responses to situations. Those internal responses include both physical responses (sweaty palms, a rapid heart rate, or a queasy stomach) as well as mental responses (judgements against another person, racing thoughts, or worry about the future). These internal responses are the hints that we are losing rational control of a situation.
When we finds ourselves caught in temper, we have the opportunity to choose what to do. This is the flash point, the instant when we may falter by following the impulse to try something that will get rid of a bad feeling immediately regardless of the cost. Instead we encourage ourselves to stop for a moment, and select a tool, or rule of thumb, to provide some guidance through the situation.
We coach members with simple tools. Ideas like "mistakes are a part of everyday life" helps those of us stuck in perfectionism. Encouraging ourselves to remember to be "group minded" when confronted with an upsetting scenario can often reduce tensions by considering everyone involved. Reminding ourselves that "expectations can lead to disappointments" helps us to not ask too much of ourselves or others. We talk about being "average" rather than "exceptional", the importance of humour as an antidote to temper, and to watch out for avoidable conflicts. Being right, especially in trivialities, should not take priority over being reasonable and civilised.
We make a point of endorsing good choices. Endorsing is a matter of recognising progress relative to our past behaviour, and not comparing ourselves to others.
The Recovery method is described in detail in the book Mental Health Through Will Training. We read a chapter from this text at each meeting as well as work on practical exercises to teach the details of this method. Our group is small, usually about 5-10 people attend. For more information see:
https://recoveryhamilton.blogspot.ca
https://www.meetup.com/Recovery-Hamilton/
Group Leader - Dennis,
phone: 905-684-4698,
email: recovery.hamilton.meetings@gmail.com
Hamilton Westdale Meeting - Tuesday 7:30pm,
Binkley United Church,
1570 Main Street West,
Hamilton Ontario
Other meetings in the Hamilton area
