The WELL: inkwell.vue.294: Jeff Bell, "Rewind, Replay, Repeat"

#82: Angie (coiro) Thu 12 Apr 07 11:56

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:56:00 PDT

Jeff's story is in the Chron today:

<http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/04/12/DDG1RP4CQ440.DTL>

It's currently titled "The DJ Had a Secret" on SFGate, an error I just sent them a scolding for. [Read entire topic]

#81: Jeff Bell (jbellnews) Fri 23 Mar 07 18:41

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 18:41:00 PDT

My thanks to all of you for this great opportunity to share my story in more than just sound bytes. (Yeah, I know... an ironic comment from someone who makes a living reducing life to sound bytes!) Your thoughtful, astute questions have been truly refreshing, and I've thoroughly enjoyed spending this time with you.

Angie, you're a gem.. but I knew that already from our many radio years together. Cynthia and David, thanks for making this happen.

I'll leave you with a sincere invitation to keep in touch. My online home these days is www.RewindReplayRepeat.com and my email is jeff@RewindReplayRepeat.com

With gratitude,

- jeff [Read entire topic]

#80: mother of my eyelid (frako) Fri 23 Mar 07 17:28

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:28:00 PDT

It was really interesting, Angie and Jeff. [Read entire topic]

#79: virtual community or butter? (bumbaugh) Fri 23 Mar 07 13:16

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:16:00 PDT

Yes, thank you, Jeff, for sharing all this with use here. And thanks so much, Angie, for your able facilitation. [Read entire topic]

#78: Angie (coiro) Fri 23 Mar 07 12:45

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:45:00 PDT

What a great place to leave it! - and so we will. Jeff, thank you so much. Best of luck to you and yours. [Read entire topic]

#77: Jeff Bell (jbellnews) Fri 23 Mar 07 09:19

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 09:19:00 PDT

RE: Prognosis

>>what's the prognosis? Again underlining that you don't put yourself out there as an expert, but what does your reading and research tell you about what to expect as you get older?<<

From everything I've read and experienced, this is what I've come to expect in the years ahead: Good days. Bad Days. But never days quite as bad as my worst, because I now know my way out!

The worst trap I've fallen into in recent years has been that of complacence. OCD recovery is an ongoing challenge and requires great vigilance. When I let my guard down, I become vulnerable. When I stop pushing myself, I become more apt to slip back into a life of avoidance.

Somewhere along the way, I shifted my recovery goals from "getting cured" to "learning to live with the disorder." That's made all the difference in the world.

My life today--ongoing OCD challenges and all--is wonderful. I am very, very blessed! [Read entire topic]

#76: Jeff Bell (jbellnews) Fri 23 Mar 07 09:09

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 09:09:00 PDT

RE: Externalizing

>>I seem to recall your mentioning something about externalizing the disorder<<

Almost everyone I know who battles OCD has found "externalizing" to be a very powerful tool in confronting obsessive thoughts. My own guess is that is has to do with the added perspective that comes from separating rational and irrational thoughts.

As I detail in my book, my externalized OCD takes the form of Christof, from "The Truman Show." It's a long story, but still one of my favorites... and applies to this day! [Read entire topic]

#75: Angie (coiro) Wed 21 Mar 07 19:15

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 19:15:00 PDT

Wow, I've had one-hour interviews that seemed longer than this. I can't believe it's been two weeks. Jeff, thanks for a fascinating book. And to all the Wellbeings who contributed some valuable questions.

One follow-up, and one question for the road:

I don't have your book at hand just now, but I seem to recall your mentioning something about externalizing the disorder - much has been mentioned here. (In fact, there's a book out on eating disorders called "Life Without Ed". "Ed" is the name the author gave her Eating Disorder - get it? - which she then treated as an external force.) Has this externalizing been helpful to other OCDs you've talked to?

And: what's the prognosis? Again underlining that you don't put yourself out there as an expert, but what does your reading and research tell you about what to expect as you get older? Changes in meds needs, diminishing of symptoms - any idea? [Read entire topic]

#74: Cynthia Dyer-Bennet (cdb) Wed 21 Mar 07 10:21

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 10:21:00 PDT

heh, I agree about the "casting" ...

This has been an amazing two weeks, and you've covered so much ground, Jeff. Thank you so much for sharing so much time with us, and for being so open about your journey with OCD. It's been fascinating!

Though our virtual spotlight has turned to a new guest, this topic will remain open for further conversation indefinitely. So if you're able to stick around longer, Angie and Jeff, you're more than welcome to continue. If you have things that are calling you away, then I'll simply say that I'm glad you've joined us, and wish you all the best. [Read entire topic]

#73: Sharon Lynne Fisher (slf) Tue 20 Mar 07 21:21

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 21:21:00 PDT

Actually, an NLP thing is to take the voices in your head and change them to something silly so they sound less powerful. [Read entire topic]