ANXIETY DISORDERS THERAPIES
The need to be perfect
Prior to the disorder, many of us were perfectionists and, despite the disorder, many of us still try to present this image. Not only have we tried to be the perfect partner, the perfect parent, the perfect employee or employer, but we become the perfect patient. Discussing issues where we feel ashamed or humiliated does not fit our 'perfect' image, so we hold back.
Being open and honest
In many instances we will not tell our doctor or therapist the full effects of what we are experiencing, including our thoughts of suicide. We cannot receive the help we need unless we are being completely open.
Even if we are being completely open, our need to be perfect hides our feelings of inadequacy. Many of us accept inadequate treatment because we feel inadequate. We feel we don't have the right to complain, then we become angry because we don't receive the help we need.
In some cases there can be misguided loyalties to the doctor, therapist or our family. Although we complain privately, we continue to go to back to our doctor or therapist because we feel we don't want to let our family, doctor or tberapist down.
In some cases family members feel a stronger loyalty to the therapist than we do. The family pressures us to remain with the therapist, so we stay in a therapy situation which may be of little benefit. Our sense of inadequacy keeps us from speaking out. *32\94\8*
CANCER AND PAIN: PRINCIPLES OF GOOD PAIN MANAGEMENT
