#1
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"Pull yourself together" phrase
How did the phrase "pull yourself together" come into the English language and why do we seem to hear it when we are anxious, upset, tearful, we have a psychological problem or even when we can't stop giggling? Why is it used to get someone to control their emotions? I don't like the phrase and I never use it.
Other phrases used in a similar way are: "snap out of it" "get a grip" "get a hold of yourself" Why use these useless phrases anyway? - they are totally unhelpful for anyone with social anxiety. Last edited by English Rose; 3rd June 2009 at 22:13. Reason: Amending text |
#2
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Re: "Pull yourself together" phrase
Quote:
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#3
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Re: "Pull yourself together" phrase
my inlaws used it when i first had a breakdown and they told me i was being unfair to my hb and son
it hurt so much that 4 years on i have not had any contact with them i dont prevent my hb and son seeing them, but i have no wish to have their sort of 'help' they have been no loss to me if only it were that easy to rid yourself of anxiety nell x |
#4
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Re: "Pull yourself together" phrase
One day I was feeling weepy and crying. A woman said to me, "Pull yourself together." She didn't even ask me why I was upset. I then felt uncomfortable and embarrassed. This woman has two grown up children and was probably saying it to them.
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#6
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Re: "Pull yourself together" phrase
As xNelliex said, if only it were that easy. It's a thoughtless, insensitive and ignorant thing to say to someone, whether you know their circumstances or not. I've had it said to me by my bloke's mum, who happens to be a psychiatric nurse! I wonder if she says that to her patients in the throes of a psychotic breakdown.
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#7
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Re: "Pull yourself together" phrase
Or the phrase "cheer up it will never happen" i hate it
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#8
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Re: "Pull yourself together" phrase
I think the phrase does have a limited use. My brother uses it on me from time to time, as an alternative to a slap in the face when I'm getting way too deep into some stupid thinking pattern and need to just take a moment to question what I'm actually thinking. I suppose because he knows me inside out, he knows when he can use it to have an effect and I'm glad he does so. This particular phrase "pull yourself together" has an effect on me when he uses it, it always makes me think of when Ch Insp. Morse's superior said it to him when he became completely unrational, which kinds of gives it a certain power for me, if that makes sense.
But yeah, for sure, unless someone has intimate knowledge of you and knows when it's going to be helpfull to say it, if it's going to be helpfull at all, it's ridiculous. |
#9
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Re: "Pull yourself together" phrase
It probably goes back to the days when upper lips were stiff and people were made of sterner stuff. I quite like 'you've made your bed, now lie in it' and 'It's all in your head'.
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#10
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Re: "Pull yourself together" phrase
I prefer 'put on your big girl pants and deal with it' which someone once said to me.
Always makes me giggle a little inside and then I imagine myself pulling on my superhero pants and using my superpowers to zap the problem. |
#11
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Re: "Pull yourself together" phrase
I don't remember anyone ever saying it to me although they may have done. But my mum does try to change me which is equally annoying. I am happy using my coping mechanisms which my mum wants me to stop using.
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#13
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Re: "Pull yourself together" phrase
You hear those phrases a lot and I don't like them either
In fact, a family member once said that they think that "the mentally ill should just pull themselves together" - which is partly why I have felt unable to ask for help from my gp, as I live with this person and don't want them to know about my problems |