Self-help group hosts session on stress

by Donna M. Webb
Grand Island Dispatch, February 23, 2007

Are stress and anxiety taking over your life? Do you let your anger get out of control? Do you fear certain situations or let worry consume you? Have depression or sleep-related problems interfered with your quality of life? Are you feeling helpless or hopeless?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then consider learning more about Recovery Inc. Local members of this self-help group will hold an information session on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grand Island Library’s Community Room. They will hand out literature and be available to answer questions.

Recovery Inc. is a non-profit, international organization that was founded in 1937 by the late neuropsychiatrist Abraham A. Low, M.D. He was an associate professor of psychology at the University of Illinois Medical School. After years of research and treatment of his patients, Low developed the cognitive and behavioral techniques that form the basis of the Recovery method.

These techniques help individuals to manage their negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and replace them with healthy thinking and constructive actions. Also, the tools learned enable people to better handle nervous symptoms. These would include heart palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, headaches and fatigue. Two of the many tools, which people learn at weekly meetings, are as follows: “Don’t wait to feel better in order to do things – do things in order to feel better” and “Nervous symptoms are distressing, but not dangerous.”

At each meeting, members read a chapter of Low’s book, called “Mental Health through Will Training.” Then they volunteer to give examples of how the Recovery method enabled them to better cope with situations that led to the mental or physical discomfort they experienced. There is a mutual aid period at the end of the meeting, during which members can ask questions and talk on a more informal basis. No fee is required to attend meetings; but voluntary contributions are collected.

Recovery Inc. meets on Grand Island on Tuesdays, from 7 to 9 p.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. At the information session on Feb. 24, members will share with those interested how the Recovery method has had a positive impact on their lives and how it can change lives for the better.