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psychology and SI...trying to make sense of it all.
hey everyone
i'm taking a psychology class, and i absolutely love it. i have learned so much about people and stuff, but i really like learning terms to put to things i've learned throughout my life. here's what i've been learning recently, and it TOTALLY ties in with SI, and slip-ups and whatnot. i think it's helped me understand so much more about it all...let me know what you think!
so, when people SI, it's a kind coping method in most cases. they've conditioned themselves to use a sharp object to deal with whatever triggers them. so when in a stressful situation, they will do what they've been conditioned to do - get their relief the only way they know how, but SI.
then, when people try to stop SI, or make it extinct (so it doesn't happen anymore), they find ways to modify and shape their behavior, like a new coping method such as talking about problems, or a new hobby, or any other way to deal. the only catch is, they are always at risk of spontaneous recovery, in which the undesired response (SI) happens again (a 'slip-up'). when i first learned what that all meant, i was really upset, because that means however far i get away from cutting, i'll always be at some risk of it happening. BUT, the other part about spontaneous recovery is that over time, the likelihood and intensity of the undesired responses become less frequent and less strong. so that's why when you decide to quit SI, it's so hard to go totally cold turkey. most people have many slips at first, but over time, the urge decreases a bit and it's easier to get past. that's why, if you ARE trying to quit, you shouldn't be discouraged and think you won't be able to. Slip-ups are part of the process to recovery, and show you are trying to beat it.
and for any of you still actually reading this, i appreciate it. just had to get some thoughts out. let me know your opinion! Do i make ANY sense? putting terms to all the complicated components of SI helps me understand it better i suppose. even if it isn't EXACT, it just makes more sense. i know very well that some of the feelings involved are impossible to put into words, but sometimes trying to really does help.
stay strong all
~cat
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