Positive Identity

CONCEPT: Self Esteem

 

BRIEF SUMMARY

Participants complete two worksheets dicussing the meaning of words like 'positive thinking' and 'inferior' and discuss how a positive identity can help with PKU management.

 

OBJECTIVES

After completing this activity, participants will be able to:

  • identify two things they like about themselves
  • describe things (or events) that make them feel good about themselves
  • state that they are reponsible for how they feel--whether it be proud, inferior, etc.

 

METHODS

Distribute the worksheets: "Positive Identity Quiz" and "No One Can Make You Feel Inferior"

Positive Identity Quiz
Instruct the participants to complete the "Positive Identity Quiz". Explain that answers do not have to be shared with the rest of the class (although if someone has made a "discovery" they are welcome to share it).

Discuss what positive things participants have listed. Are they events? Accomplishments? Something to feel proud of? Fun?

No One Can Make You Feel Inferior
Have the participants complete the "No One Can Make You Feel Inferior" worksheet. (Distribute dictionaries, or photocopies of appropriate dictionary pages.)

Discuss the meaning of the quotation. What words other than "inferior" and "consent" could be used? What other ways of saying it did people come up with?

Was there a time when you saw somebody make somebody else feel inferior? What would have made that person feel better about him/herself? Has somebody ever made you feel inferior? How did you overcome it?

How can you apply this to PKU management? How can a positive identity help with PKU management? (When we feel good about ourselves, we are more likely to take good care of ourselves--with behaviors that keep blood phe levels in the healthy range.)

Discuss: Most of the time, not feeling inferior is a choice. It is a difficult choice and takes practice. It can be helpful to have a list of things that you like about yourself to "counteract" negative feelings. (This doesn't have to be a written list.) What types of things would you include on your list?

 

MATERIALS


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