The Healers The Healers
Registry Articles Vacations Vitamins Healing Home Food Habits Music Contact us

 
Sign up for our FREE newsletter

Cookware - Electrics - Gifts

Cooking.com

No picnic in sight

The Healers
by Eric Shapiro
Author of "Short of a Picnic" (see below)

Upon being diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, I saw the reality behind the greatest myth of mental illness, the myth that The Victim Is Unaware of His or Her Own Condition. A childhood flooded with media depictions of the mentally ill had lead me to believe that the afflicted had somehow been robbed of their objectivity, thrown into a dark hall-of-mirrors beyond the realm of rational perspective.

Nonsense. My rational mind remained intact, albeit uncomfortably so. From the lighter corner of my mind, I watched darkness flow in. Obsessive images of violence and amorality. Urges, or rather, "pseudo-urges" to do things I didn't want to. Yin (the rational mind) duking it out with Yang (the imbalanced, irrational mind) on a daily basis. The word "Hell" was used often when describing this state.


Eric Shapiro
I'm certain that the suffering of many leads to punctured objectivity and the loss of rational self-awareness. Fortunately, I remained aware. No matter how awful I felt, I could at least articulate what was going on. The power of descriptive articulation should not be underestimated. It keeps the disorder in context as a disorder, preserving a firm boundary between the right mind and the ill mind. For me, imagining such a boundary was a vital survival tool. I focused on finding a day when Yin overran Yang, so to speak.

The afflicted mind has difficulty inspiring itself to seek assistance. What a complex entity the mind is; even in sickness, it has only itself to rely upon. Unlike somebody with a broken leg, a person with an anxiety disorder cannot lean on his or her other mind. Overcoming mental duress is like trying to kiss your own lips. Quite tricky, but possible with enough imagination.

Imagination and resourcefulness, that's what it comes down to. These strange ailments go just as they came. I knew that elements of my mind were strong; the challenge was getting these elements to positively influence the weaker ones. This required many analysts, many appointments, many schools of healing. Psychology, psychiatry, homeopathy, reflexology, reiki, energy healing-- these were all thrown in the pot to little avail. Finally and unexpectedly, acupuncture provided balance. I've improved significantly.

I thank acupuncture and I thank my supportive family, but, most importantly, I thank counter-mythology: even when afflicted, the human mind sees itself. And in itself, it sees solutions.

cover

Eric Shapiro is the author of "Short of a Picnic," a collection of stories about mental illness due in September from Be-Mused Publications

Do you have comments, personal stories or ideas to share? Leave them here:

Your screen name:
Where you are from:

Your comments:

Monday, May 1 at 09:33 AM:
sweetmore from Buxton, Derbyshire wrote:
"Moved from Chesterfield New email address:mjsweetmore@tiscali.co.uk "

Friday, August 8 at 04:16 AM:
Laura from Australia wrote:
" I have also been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Since the age of twelve I knew that my thoughts were in chaos, and nothing I did would help. My parents dismissed it as just a part of puberty, and it wasn't until I was 17 when I started doing yoga - I learned techniques which helped me quiet my mind, and begin to admit I had a serious problem. From this I found the courage to speak to my doctor about how I felt, and he referred me to a psychiatrist, and put me on medication which would balance out the chemicals in my brain. I am still not entirely over my compulsive behaviour - I may never be - but I have learned to control them, and I just want other sufferers to know they're not alone: many people are willing to reach out a helping hand."

Friday, April 11 at 01:08 PM:
sweetmore from Chesterfield,Derbyshire wrote:
" I had an NDE when I was 19 years old. An exceptionally traumatic incident caused my "temporary" death. I have spent the last 35 years reconciling this with what I should be doing? Healing? Helping? Please help me to help? sweetmorem@clara.co.uk "

Friday, October 11 at 01:26 PM:
ezn201@aol.com from hardy va wrote:
"I KNOW WHAT ERIC IS TALKING ABOUT. FOR MY 59 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE SAME LIFE . "

Saturday, August 17 at 05:46 PM:
mmocampo@aol.com from Maryland wrote:
"My husband has OCD. Nothing has ever been done for him. What can I do? Seems like each week there is an addition to the obsession. Help "

RETURN TO:

Opening page of Articles section
HOME


Click here to purchase the Something Special bouquet to bring joy into your life or the life of someone you know