Viewing “Cure” as a Verb, Not a Noun in Mental Health

     Many of my mental health clients want to know the “cure” for their disorder, co-existing disorders, or past painful experiences.  I am straightforward with every client by explaining that, in mental health, there is not a permanent “cure” for intrusive thoughts, insecurities, fears, regret, and sadness.  As a verb, to “cure” means to relieve or alleviate the symptoms of a disease or condition.  I often explain to my clients that they have the innate strength and wisdom to “cure” their moods, thoughts, and behaviors, one moment at a time, through learned coping strategies and deep introspection about the connection between their past experiences and their current symptoms.

     You can begin the curing process at any moment of each day.  When you let go of societal pressures to “get over it” or to “find a cure,” you can start to focus on your own unique path of empowerment, self-compassion, and courage to do your best with the circumstances given to you.  Taking action is the most important step which must be done throughout your daily curing process.  Taking action means that you create and follow a daily plan of coping behaviors and inspirational, grounding thoughts.  Taking action is all that you can do in each moment of your day.  Some days may cause self-doubt, sadness, and anxiety, but you must continue to refocus on YOUR actions and YOUR thoughts, which are separate from what you believe that others want or how you perceived yourself in the past.  Doing your best each day can be simply completing your work, personal, and parental tasks.  You may still experience negative or disturbing thoughts, but the actions which you take are moving you forward.  If you try to do your best in your curing process, you are practicing a valuable skill which taps into your higher wisdom and strength, which are always within you and are the key aspects to personal growth and transformation.

     You can change your daily life ANYTIME, but this requires motivation and effort, similar to learning a new language or sport.  If you begin to view your depression, past painful experiences, anxiety, or PTSD as a catalyst  for learning about your true higher self, you will release a sense of freedom and hope toward managing every moment and experience in your daily life.  Your daily choices of actions and thoughts absolutely influence your emotions.  My clients often tell me that they feel “anxious” or “depressed” and often ask for a “cure.”  Yes, medication can improve or rearrange your brain chemistry and may be necessary for more productive daily functioning.  However, this is only the chemical basis for working on your day-to-day thought processes, learning how to be mindful of your daily emotions, and, if needed, talking or writing about any past painful experiences and intrusive thoughts in romantic relationships, family relationships, and/or traumas.