1. responses
to suffering

2. what can be done about … ?
physical states: pain, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, etc
emotional states: anxiety, anger depression, guilt, disgust, etc
mental states: confusion, doubt, lack of knowledge, etc
behavioural states: over-busyness, avoidance, binging, addictions, etc
relationships states: rows, isolation, coldness, disagreements, etc

3. optimism v’s hopelessness
belief that one can improve comes from several different sources:
personal experience of even temporary improvement
knowing or hearing of others who have improved
scientific research showing improvement is achievable
trust in the therapist
belief in the ability of the human organism to improve

4. choice/control v’s helplessness
how can one gain confidence in one’s personal ability to improve?
knowing it may be possible – see optimism slide
knowing what to do to make the improvement
being prepared to experiment to see what progress comes
accepting that there will be ups and downs
accepting that one will some-times feel helpless/hopeless

5. some possible responses
problems/difficulties
problem
solving
diagram
symptoms
vicious
circle
some possible responses
tackle effects
tackle problems

6. some possible responses
tackle problems:
tackle effects:
these responses aim to reduce suffering by tackling the problems and difficulties so that the symptoms they produce are likely to be reduced as well
these responses aim to reduce suffering by altering how much one is affected by both the problems and difficulties and also by symptoms they cause