'Symptoms' are broadly thought of as something unpleasnt, disruptive or disfunctional. We usually try to obliterate them as quickly as possible. The idea of 'symptom' originally comes from the medical model, which looks at physical illnesses, their causes, and intervenes (usually) with some form of medication to 'treat' the 'symptom'.
The founder of psychology, Sigmund Freud, was a psychiatrist trained in the medical model. The application of the medical model to the mind or psyche has enabled Psychology to develop as a science, by mapping clusters of 'symptoms' and organising them into 'disorders'; devising 'interventions' which are then systematically applied in research studies to assess outcome and efficacy at reducing 'symptoms'. This process has allowed for Psychology to be funded by insurance or Medicare, and for us to better understand the application and suitability of certain (or manualised) interventions for different symptom clusters (or disorders).
However, in my eyes there is a major draw back from this approach. And that is, that the human can get lost. Even if we have a bunch of symptoms, we are so much more than our symptoms and the presence of symptoms does not necessarily indicate that something is 'wrong' with us. The symptoms might highlight that something is wrong within our environment (e.g. our job is not a good fit) or in our relationships (e.g. we suppress our feelings to keep the connection).
By 'treating' the stress, or anxiety, or depression through exercise, medication, relaxation and greater social connections, the 'symptoms' might indeed reduce for a while. However the underlying cause remains the same - How you see yourself; What parts of yourself you allow to shine; What you feel able to ask for; What you avoid in order to keep everything the same (just a few examples).
Reducing the suffering that comes from symptoms is helpful. None of us want to suffer. However taking a holistic view, I propose that you can take it further. Not only can you reduce the suffering you experience from symptoms, if you allow yourself the time and have a good guide, you might come to understand more about yourself and how you are living your life which actually necessitates the symptoms existence. By going deeper, beyond the surface 'symptoms', you can experience shifts at a fundamental level which enable a level of well-ness far beyond being 'symptom-free'.
This is the work I do with people. It's unpredictable, there are no promises, it often takes a long time and much commitment. But the shifts are palpable. And usually (this applied to me as well), once symptom reduction alongside greater self-knowledge is experienced, there's a real joy that comes from the self-development which a depth therapy enables. As you grow towards your authentic expression - no longer hampered by the mask you put on each morning - many things in life start to shift. This journey brings with it it's own difficulties, but they are growing pains, not stagnation pains. Having a therapist who you see regularly and is commited to your therapy into the future (however long you wish to keep going) is (in my experience) a real asset to the journey.
So, what are your symptoms? If you take the pathology out of them and view them as a messenger, what do they tell you? If you allow them to speak, what do they say? What does the idea of listening to them with kindness, rather than critical judgement, feel like for you? What needs, wishes, likes and dislikes do they communicate to you, and how regularly are you dismissing these for yourself?
Happy journeying,
Anna
Anna is a Clinical Psychologist working with couples and individuals from a Relational Psychotherapy (Depth therapy) approach. She is available for in person consults in Albion, and across Australia online. If you would like to work with Anna, please email her at anna@annawpsychology.com