On Coping Skills…

“time heals all wounds”

“only time can tell”

“things will look different in the morning”

All the quotes about time, how come? Maybe there is something to it?

One thing that is sometimes overlooked with discussions of coping skills is the impact of time. Whenever someone is extremely emotional things may seem like that emotion will be present forever. People may start saying “this will never go away” or “I will always have these problems”. Clinicians, myself included, encourage skills like ‘distract’ techniques in order to occupy the mind in other ways when feeling this significant emotional intensity. At times clients may engage in other problematic, but immediately gratifying coping mechanisms such as ‘cutting’; the problem with this is that in an effort to feel better in that moment, one creates more complex emotions in the future. Also, it is no surprise, that that type of coping skill (cutting) does not actually resolve the issue. So why skills like ‘distract’? The key is, time! The fact of the matter is emotions, no matter how intense and detrimental or how joyous, do not last forever. They come and go. Allowing recognition of this fact is important when feeling extremely intense about a situation. So next time you are feeling intense, take a moment and feel that emotion, whatever it is, don’t judge it, just recognize the existence of it and wait. Distract yourself, experience yourself, and know that it will pass.

Have a comment? Want to share your take? Please take a moment and tell me what your thoughts are…