Hi Bubula,
I agree with Ginny that it is best to apply the "rule of
hygiene" regarding representatives. That is regardless of what the
representative brings to the role, it works out better to treat it as if it
belongs to the person they are representing. I have had several good lessons
in this regard. One I like to use as an example is the following.
Several weeks after a workshop a representative of a father in a
constellation told me that he didn't feel that he did the role justice
because he had felt like crying but held it in because of his own issues. I
few days later I met the woman whose constellation it was. Spontaneously and
unsolicited she commented on how helpful her constellation had been already.
She then went on to say that the representative for the father was
especially accurate. When I asked her how, she said that the way he looked
as if he wanted to cry but wouldn't let go was especially typical !!
Regarding the new SSRI antidepressants it is very difficult to tell if
someone is on them unless they are either overmedicated or under medicated.
Overmedicated people have decreased emotional responsiveness. Under
medicated people are still partially depressed and may have trouble
concentrating. They are struggling with pervasive low mood and also have
decreased responsiveness. Appropriately medicated people are clear and
responsive. They are more capable of benefiting from psychological
treatments and they are not prone to the shrinkage of the part of the brain
called the hippocampus, which does happen in people who are unfortunate
enough to suffer from chronic untreated depression. I have seen too many
people who have struggled for years with depression trying a whole raft of
psychological and alternative treatments to no avail who have eventually
recovered with conventional antidepressant medications. They have then been
able to finally benefit from applying these other treatments.
One very interesting patient had a strong genetic predisposition. As well
as a strong family history he had a very early age of onset and needed quite
high doses of antidepressants to get well. After a proper course of
medication (6 to 12 months), he tried to come off antidepressants three
times and relapsed within 3 months. Nonetheless he continued on his
psychological and spiritual journey. Part of that journey was to accept his
fate that he may have to stay on antidepressants indefinitely to live a
normal life. This appears to be the case for a small percentage of people
who suffer depression. However, through a surprising set of circumstances he
came off his medication a fourth time and has remained well for 3 years.
I tell this story as a warning against applying trite formulas about
different types of treatment. Just as western doctors and psychiatrists can
be rigid in their application of a reductionistic biological model,
alternative practitioners can cause just as much harm by rejecting the
positive contribution that science and western medicine can make when
appropriately applied. Mutual respect is not just more pleasant, it is also
produces better outcomes for everyone concerned.
Hasta la vista
Chris Walsh
Melbourne, Australia
Website www.constellationflow.com
-----Original Message-----
From: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bubula Lardi
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2005 1:34 PM
To: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ConstellationTalk] Anti-depressants
Dear Chris,
Do you think that people on anti-depressants who are standing as
representatives are less clear in their representation?
I have not previously asked people if they were on medication, but I wonder
if it might not be a good idea to inquire, as a general rule.
However, I can usually tell if clients are on anti-depressants.
I appreciate the clarity of your remarks on medication, as it is not an area
I'm particularly familiar with.
Best wishes,
Bubula Lardi
Byron Bay
Australia
