The third premise is the special system of the Recovery method. Through Low's book and attending meetings, the patient is taught a number of Recovery concepts which he must recognize or detect in himself either as thoughts or behavior. The fourth premise or process is self-endorsement. He endorses the effort, not the success of his practice of the method. People who are themselves afflicted are more sympathetic and understanding to fellow sufferers.
Most people feel better when they learn to share their troubles with kindred spirits.
In Recovery, each patient is encouraged to confront his problems, to air his symptoms, and to examine the validity and appropriateness of his emotions. At home this might meet with arguments, objections, indifference or even pampering. In the group it meets with understanding and support. It would appear that as patients confess their fears and eccentricities and observe no reaction of dismay on the faces of others, they feel accepted. They feel safe in the group because the shared secret evokes no condemnation.