Debora
You did nothing wrong posting what you did. Actually I think although this post is going to be deleted because it has gone too far it actually is a shame because it is a good example of negative core beliefs and the strength they have. Do you see how they can take control of people and make them believe something is there that isn't and never was. Take your problem. You want to get rid of it for good reason but since it has happened before it is now coming up over and over because it has become a core belief. You know you worry to much about your health but can't stop because you have a core belief telling you too. They are very hard to break.
Some people never do. No matter how hard they try they keep going back to them and believing them. Medication can break the cycle but you have to take advantage of every positive moment to reinforce the positive thoughts.
Think of a core belief as some one else than you telling you what to do and then ask yourself why you are listening to them since you know what is right. Then do it your way because you know your way is right. Listen to you not them (the core beliefs)
Core beliefs are not something you did wrong, they are a product of thinking the same way over and over again till it seems true. But core beliefs can be very helpful if you start to think different than they want you too. These are positive core beliefs and once you build one and use it the one you don't want stops influencing you.
Yes you can stop being a hypochondriac by using CBT to build a positive core belief that neutralizes and buries the one you don't want. You can actually learn to not focus on your health to such an extreme by building a core belief that tells you not to. It is like having a friend remind you that you are worrying too much and spending too much time thinking about your health. Core beliefs can be very good friends or they can be bad ones. But it takes time to build good strong ones. Just like it takes time to build good friends. And you have to trust them. If your core belief is telling you something good letting a negative core belief convince you otherwise will ruin it.
If you trust the program and if you believe the people here only want to help you when they tell you something you don't want to hear then you will get better. That is why I asked you if it bothered you if I say something you might take the wrong way.
CBT is changing negative to positive. That simple. The hard part is deciding who to believe.
The people trying to support you and help you with examples of what works for them or a negative core belief that has been leading you astray for years. The tendency is going to be to go with the core belief because that is a routine you are familiar with. And if you do I won't fault you. Core beliefs are hard to break. But if you would like me to stay and support you and point out when I think you are going down the wrong path I will. You don't need me, every thing you need is in the program. I am cured as you can see by the fact that I do not let misunderstandings throw me into a negative tail spin. I've been insulted and accused and I don't let it bother me because I know mental disorders. I know where it comes from. I also know mental diseases. I have bipolar friends that have treated me very bad, but I understand it is just their manic phase. I have schizophrenic friends who I'm not sure which personality is going to be talking to me. I find it very interesting and for me a learning experience. I have never let them influence my attitude. Positive breeds positive, negative breeds negative.
If you remember that and try as much as you can to think positive you eventually will and if you slip once in a while and don't mind your friends helping you out you will get back to the happy state you want.
Do not ever feel bad for anything you post here. I want to see a real Debora, not some one trying to be who they think I want to see or how am I supposed to support them.
That being said, I have to agree with My therapist. It doesn't mean I will listen to her.
Davit.
