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ibeforetheu t1_j07kled wrote

Reply to comment by ButeoJamaicensis- in [Image] "I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” ~ Carl Gustav Jung by Butterflies_Books

On the flip side, the brain is also amazingly plastic. You can do it. I did.

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Goosfraba21 t1_j087tq2 wrote

I like this. While not trying to downplay anyone’s bad experiences, the “woe is me” attitude is way too pervasive. It’s always a bitter uphill struggle for most. It makes sense to try our best. To quote something I read once “what is the other fucking option?”

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SmileWithMe__ t1_j08a7ch wrote

I think that some damage is irreversible, but it doesn’t mean you can’t go on to achieve great things, but I do think it means that you’ll always struggle internally, and be motivated to drown it out with drugs/alcohol/medication etc. So I do think that pretending you’re fine, won’t make you fine, but it doesn’t necessarily have the power to stop you from achieving either.

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Suyefuji t1_j09ay6j wrote

I'm an intelligent person with a successful career despite massive PTSD. At the same time, I know I would have had so much more potential if I wasn't spending half of my energy every day fighting with mental illness.

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SmileWithMe__ t1_j09gbpx wrote

I agree 100%. It slows one down, and the sense of inferiority it creates, then pushes one forward lol (I say it jokingly, but I realize that it’s not funny at all when you’re in it).

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chevymonza t1_j09jvte wrote

I'm in a career rut, and have to fight the PTSD all the time. Always trying to remain neutral in a department fraught with drama and turnover. People get on my case about not taking sides sometimes, but I honestly don't know who to trust most of the time.

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maybethingsnotsobad t1_j08yxom wrote

I'm with you. I've been affected by my past, but it's not the entirety of me.

I am not my past.

I can choose my actions and behavior. I can change habits. I can change who I am.

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siler7 t1_j07wlsc wrote

Wouldn't have to if things didn't happen to you. As with most "It's not X, it's Y" statements, nature and nurture both play their part.

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hiimred2 t1_j08b6rx wrote

Usain Bolt ran 9.59, anyone can!

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eruborus t1_j08rff6 wrote

If the next person who is able to doesn't believe they can...then they won't.

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hiimred2 t1_j08skeh wrote

So people have to be able to?

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MovinOnUp2TheMoon t1_j09mwe1 wrote

And Believe They Can.

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hiimred2 t1_j09x8kq wrote

I never debated that part, I'm here to make sure it's understood that some people just actually aren't able to "just do it" no matter how hard they believe. That goes for many facets of life. You can't will away a brain chemistry issue anymore than someone built with immensely large bone structure can set a world record in the 110m hurdles. The former needs medication, the latter is better suited to trying his hand at throwing events.

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eruborus t1_j0adb8a wrote

You realize this isn't r/NeedMoreSeratonin. It's r/GetMotivated.

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sorrybouthat00 t1_j07t7rn wrote

Did you actually though? Or do you THINK you did. Also neuroplasticity is not an equal attribute. It varies widely depending on a multitude of factors, age being one of the biggest. Trauma can have an amazingly variable effect on neuroplasticity. There are theories around overt creativity(perpetual neuroplasticity)being triggered by early trauma. Some of our most prolific artists have very dark beginnings. But that doesn't mean you want to BE an artist, these people are often tortured souls that tend to have very bad endings.

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ibeforetheu t1_j07tvre wrote

I'm not sure but I feel and think I'm in a place that's at least 3X better than before, just eyeballing it

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ButeoJamaicensis- t1_j07lokp wrote

I mean, that’s extremely open ended to presume all change is possible. It isn’t always true. If you want to discuss more, let’s talk about the formerly “feral child” from Plant City, Florida and her inability to lead a normal life due to the neglect of her childhood.

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ibeforetheu t1_j07m2yc wrote

Not every case will be the same, true. There are degrees of ACE one can experience, none of which were by choice. There are also varying degrees that you can change. The first step is to understand there is a possibility and that you do wield some power of that possibility. It won't be easy.

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