Emotions Anonymous

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Emotions Anonymous ( EA ) are self-help groups aimed at improving emotional and mental health. The origin goes back to the end of the sixties by the addiction counselor Marion Flesch (1911-2004) in St. Paul , Minnesota founded group of this name. EA is based on the twelve-step program originally developed by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

history

One of the pioneers of Emotions Anonymous in Germany was the pastor, mystic and philosopher Heinz Kappes , who translated the basic writings of EA into German between 1970 and 1988. He placed himself under the twelve-step program and spoke at numerous AA and EA events until shortly before his death in 1988. The first EA groups were set up in Germany in 1972 in conjunction with Walther Lechler , chief physician at the Bad Herrenalb psychosomatic clinic . In 1991 there were 1,200 EA groups worldwide, including approx. 300 groups in Germany. All EA groups are organized locally and are independent. The German-speaking EA community operates an association for supraregional coordination tasks, public relations, the operation of the official website and the provision of literature and information about local groups and regional or supraregional meetings and events of Emotions Anonymous. Until it was dissolved in March 2014, it was the Emotions Anonymous Interest Group, and since November 2014 it has been its successor, EA Self-Help eV

EA groups

The only prerequisite for participating in an EA group is the desire for mental health and the solution of life crises or difficulties in coping with personal or professional everyday life, grief, inhibitions, moods, fears, addictions, compulsive behavior, addictions, etc. In any case, it is necessary to accept responsibility for one's own path in life as well as to recognize that the individual is only part of a spiritual whole. EA does not represent any religion or view of life, but leaves the decision about the type of spiritual orientation to the individual.

Culturally and historically, the proportion of Christian people is relatively high, but EA distances itself from proselytizing or a certain creed. The term "God as we understand him" used by the 12-step groups and thus also by EA can refer to the Christian God, but just as well to nature, the community or another spiritual entity. The EA group members see and call themselves friends and see themselves as a community. The individual groups are autonomous and can be very different in their composition and thus in their character. The connecting element are the 12 steps and the structure of the meetings.

program

An essential part of the program is anonymity in the EA groups. Membership fees are not levied, nor are membership or attendance lists kept.

By working with the twelve-step program and the meetings (so-called meetings ), those affected can try to uncover their behavioral patterns. EA suggests standing by your illness, which includes first of all admitting the illness to yourself. Working on the twelve steps should give those affected a new personal view of themselves and their problems. This is all about being honest with yourself. EA itself does not analyze or evaluate, according to EA, a new perspective on one's own situation can be achieved by participating in the program and the meetings. EA makes no promises in this regard; statements are based on the experience of other members.

The regular meetings offer a safe space to talk about yourself and your life. There are no specific topics. Nobody has to say anything. Nobody is criticized or rated. It's not about mutual counseling, but about developing new perspectives by listening to and presenting your own situation and thus recovering. A key point here is that there are no regulations. The program consists only of recommendations, compliance with which is not a mandatory requirement for membership. Everyone takes what helps them with them, they leave everything else there.

An important part of the program is spirituality . It is recommended that the members seek a so-called "higher power" according to their own ideas. This includes all religions and worldviews . The 12-step program thus makes use of the experience that “spiritually oriented people can often cope better with the setbacks in life ... people generally find it comforting to be part of something bigger; their spirituality helps them to find meaning even in the face of terrible experiences. ”Because:“ Faith increases… subjective well-being - including that of the atheist: who of course believes that God does not exist. But he believes in that. ”EA itself is neither a religion nor a sect, no worldviews are conveyed.

Meetings

Meetings usually take place as a discussion group around a designed center in which, among other things, the literature from EA is available, which can be accessed during the meeting. There is also often a stand in the middle that reminds everyone that everything said in the meeting should stay there, as well as the donation box, as EA is solely based on donations and voluntary work.

Similar to the other 12-step groups, the meetings have a simple and clear structure: First, either the 12 steps or other texts - e.g. B. a daily meditation - read out, then each participant briefly reports in a "go-round" (if and how they want) about their current state of mind. Afterwards everyone can contribute with speeches. With a larger number of participants, a speaking time limit of z. B. 3 or 4 minutes per contribution agreed. In terms of content, one or more topics can be agreed at the beginning of the meeting - nevertheless everyone can speak on all topics that currently concern them. Hand signals indicate that someone has something to say. At the beginning of his contribution, the speaker states his first name and possibly one or more guiding principles that currently accompany him on his way.

The order of the requests to speak results from the order of the hand signals, whereby the principle applies that first reports have priority over second reports. As long as a speaker does not end his contribution with “thank you” (for listening to others), nobody else speaks or interrupts. In addition, all contributions should refrain from evaluating a previous contribution - everyone speaks only for himself and about his own questions and experiences . At the end of the meeting there can be a “final go-round”, if so agreed, in which anyone who wants can briefly say what they are planning to do with the meeting or for the near future. A meeting is then regularly ended with the common speaking of the serenity slogan , the short text of which is also placed in the middle as a stand.

The outlined structure has the advantage that you can concentrate on the content, a protected space is created for every speaker and organizational matters hardly require any time. Group dynamics, as in non-structured conversations with several participants, are avoided - they speak one after the other and not confused and everyone is allowed to finish within a possibly agreed time limit. Since there are no leaders at EA, only functions, each participant can easily take over the management of a meeting thanks to this predetermined process. Anyone who has ever been to a 12-step meeting - whether at AA, OA, Coda or another 12-step group - knows this process and new participants can quickly find their way around. And since the participants are often people with psychological or emotional problems or in a life crisis, this solid, protective framework also gives great security to open up and talk about difficult topics.

EA in the therapeutic context

EA is not a substitute for professional therapies, but can only be a complementary support for people with emotional difficulties. Members meet to share their experiences, strengths, weaknesses, hopes and needs with others. EA's goal is to be open to anyone with emotional problems, regardless of the degree or type of problem or illness, and to offer support on the path to healthy life choices. There are no deliberations and no advice is given. Medical or therapeutic measures can neither be recommended nor implemented. The only goal is to create a warm and caring meeting atmosphere where individuals can share their concerns and hear about each other's progress. Psychosomatic clinics , doctors and psychotherapists often refer patients and clients to the 12-step groups, recommend them as a supplement or after a therapy, or include them in their therapy. Information can also be obtained from charities and self-help contact points . Emotions Anonymous, like other 12-step groups, should be seen in the overall context of a large number of self-help groups that deal with emotional problems such as B. Deal with depression , anxiety or borderline personality disorder .

Publications

In addition to the texts on the 12 steps and accompanying literature, EA publishes a bi-monthly newsletter that can be accessed on the website. By 2010 quarterly publication EA Embassy , with descriptions of the EA members about their experiences and personal perspectives, and life stories has been temporarily suspended, a new edition is planned.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Marion Flesch: My legacy. The history of Emotions Anonymous. Kubicle Pub., 2000, ISBN 0-9676484-0-8 .
  2. ^ Obituaries: Marion Flesch. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  3. ↑ Konstantin Ingenkamp: Depression and society for the invention of a widespread disease. Transcript Verlag, Bielefeld 2012, ISBN 978-3-8376-1930-0 .
  4. ↑ Sebastian Murken: The concept of the twelve steps and the "higher power". Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  5. ↑ Heinz Kappes' curriculum vitae on the website of the Heinz Kappes Freundeskreis ( memento from January 19, 2017 in the Internet Archive )
  6. ↑ Michael L. Moeller: Self-help groups - self-treatment u. Self-knowledge in self-reliant. Small groups. 1st edition. Rowohlt, Reinbek 1978, ISBN 3-498-04259-9 .
  7. ^ Emotions Anonymous - Emotional Health Support Groups: Information for the Public.
  8. ↑ Alexandra Rigos: Resilience - Awakening inner strength. In: Geo knowledge. No. 48 "What makes the soul strong"
  9. ↑ Christian Schüle: Why we have to believe. In: Zeit-Online. Knowledge. Issue 01/2013 "Faith-Religion-Psychologist".