1st Edition

Becoming Your Own Emotional Support System Creating a Community of One

By Linda L. Simmons Copyright 2007
210 Pages
by Routledge

210 Pages
by Routledge

210 Pages
by Routledge

Develop resources to overcome the obstacles preventing recovery Not everyone facing difficult life situations has the resources to recover. Many times, we must deal with these problems alone or without a wide base of support. Becoming Your Own Emotional Support System provides practical ideas and encouragement to help people alienated from the consolation of others to become a community of... Read more
  • Foreword (Clark D. Campbell)
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • SECTION I: THOSE IN NEED OF A COMMUNITY OF ONE—THEIR STORIES
  • Chapter 1. “One Is the Loneliest Number”: When New Identities Are Forced Upon Us
  • Maryanne’s Story of Divorce
  • Maryanne’s Need for a Community of One
  • A New Identity Enforced by Divorce
  • Responses to Divorce That Lead to Creating a Community of One
  • Chapter 2. May I Introduce You?: Discovering Our Lost Selves
  • Joan’s Story of Chronic Illness
  • Joan’s Need for a Community of One
  • Changes Wrought by Chronic Illness
  • Responses to Chronic Illness That Could Lead to Creating a Community of One
  • Chapter 3. Finding the Strength Within: Accessing the Hidden Treasure of Our Spiritual Resources
  • Dan’s Story of Spiritual Crisis
  • Dan’s Need for a Community of One
  • The Tarnishing of Spiritual Resources
  • Responses to Situations of Spiritual Crisis That Lead to Creating a Community of One
  • Chapter 4. The Truth About the Royal Family: Stigmas Can Make Finding Support a Challenge
  • Maggie’s Story of Sexual Abuse
  • Maggie’s Need for a Community of One
  • The Isolating Effects of Sexual Abuse
  • Responses to Sexual Abuse That Lead to Creating a Community of One
  • Chapter 5. Cleaning House: Identifying the Unnecessary and Letting It Go
  • Terry’s Story of ADHD and Job Loss
  • Terry’s Need for a Community of One
  • Repercussions of ADHD Such as Job Loss
  • Responses to ADHD and Job Loss That Lead to Creating a Community of One
  • Chapter 6. Goals for the Real World: Examining Expectations
  • April’s Story of Mental Illness
  • April’s Need for a Community of One
  • The Challenges of Realistically Living with Mental Illness
  • Responses to Mental Illness That Lead to Creating a Community of One
  • Chapter 7. Coming Out of Hiding: Cutting the Weighty Issue of Obesity Down to Size
  • Laura’s Story of Obesity
  • Laura’s Need for a Community of One
  • The Stigma of Obesity
  • Responses to Obesity That Lead to Creating a Community of One
  • Chapter 8. Skydiving and Other Necessary Risks: Stagnant Waters Only Grow Mold
  • Sue’s Story of Alcoholism
  • Sue’s Need for a Community of One
  • Risks Required to Conquer Addictions
  • Responses to Addictions That Lead to Creating a Community of One
  • Chapter 9. A Leap of Faith: Exploring Strange New Worlds
  • Diana’s Story of Domestic Violence
  • Diana’s Need for a Community of One
  • Daring to Take a Leap of Faith
  • Responses to Domestic Violence That Lead to Creating a Community of One
  • SECTION II: BARRIERS TO CREATING A COMMUNITY OF ONE
  • Chapter 10. Taking the World by Storm: Facing Our Fears and Moving On
  • Chapter 11. Guilt Must Go!: Guilt Can Be Good But Needs to Be Temporary
  • Chapter 12. Corralling Crazy Thinking: Correcting Thought Distortions
  • Chapter 13. Selecting Your Frame of Mind: Choosing Our Life Perspective
  • SECTION III: CREATING A COMMUNITY OF ONE
  • Chapter 14. Sitting with Suffering: Growing Through Grief
  • Chapter 15. The Value of Vision: Creating a Map for Future Direction
  • Chapter 16. Tools of the Trade: Skill Development
  • Chapter 17. Never Give Up: A Call for Hope
  • Epilogue. A Final Word
  • References
  • Index

Biography

Simmons, Linda L.