HL
Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 18, 2009 13
Uncommon Sense
Change negative perceptions Beth Firestein, Uncommon Sense
your goal. Some things we just can’t seem to solve by ourselves and that is when it uestion: I am, and makes sense to reach bealways have been, a yond yourself to find out if glass half empty maybe someone else can kind of person. I alhelp you out with the anways assume the worst in ev- swers to your dilemma. ery situation and I have a It sounds like this tendenhard time keeping my views cy has been with you a very of myself and others in a long time, beginning when positive light. I think it might you were growing up in even be negatively affecting your family. Sometimes it’s my children — and worse, only when we see ourselves rubbing off on them. Growin the mirror of our growing ing up I was disappointed a children that we realize how lot by my dad, who was all-encompassing our ways rarely around. I live an otherof viewing the world have wise normal life, but I need become. Eventually, most of help getting out of this mind us long for something better set, if not for me, for my chilin our lives and are willing to dren. make changes that benefit Answer: Simply by reachourselves as well as our chiling out and asking the question, you have already taken dren. What we can’t yet know is two important steps toward
Q
exactly what is creating your “half empty” perspective on things. Perhaps it did begin with a sense of being neglected by your father. Lots of us learn to protect ourselves from disappointment by keeping our expectations low and expecting the worst rather than expecting things to go well. This survival strategy may have served you very well during your growing up and young adult
years. The question is: does this strategy of self-protection still serve you? Or is it time to trade it in for a newer, more updated model of coping? A qualified counselor may be a real help in teaching you new skills for your present life situation. An alternative explanation might be that you suffer from a milder form of depression that many people struggle with called “dysthymia.” Usually people suffering � See Uncommon/Page 26
Dr. Beth Firestein is a licensed psychologist. She has 23 years of therapy experience and has practiced in Loveland for over 12 years. She may be reached by calling her office at 970-635-9116 or via e-mail at firewom@webaccess.net.
Uncommon Sense
Comfortable
Life Just Got More
Med-Lift Recliner Lift Chairs
45 miles of nerves. 630 muscles. 206 bones. 60 billion brain cells. Recovery in body, mind and spirit. To learn more about our Gardner Therapy Center, call us at (970) 624-5458.
Loveland’s appliance, furniture and mattress store for 40 years
All faiths or beliefs are welcome. 09-G0452 25-298739
25-298624
667-8583
132 E. Seventh St. Loveland