Posted by Karen_kay on March 12, 2004, at 13:12:48
In reply to Therapy and the feelings conundrum, posted by 64Bowtie on March 12, 2004, at 12:29:34
I must say I have to disagree with your statement about therapists not building the levee to prevent the future flash floods. I can only speak from my own personal experience, but speak from that I shall.
I began therapy with a nasty SI problem, severe mood swings, angry outbursts directed towards others, fears to the point that I was terrified to leave my house or shower with my eyes closed, sleep without a light on, and even thoughts that my dog was going to kill me. Wow! I can't believe I just admitted that. And yes, I had problems even worse than this, but I preferred to think I was having a quarter-life crisis. (Oh, and problems with avoidance as well, can you tell?)... But, after almost a year of therapy (and a mood stabilizer that worked for me) I was able to understand why I had these fears. I stopped cutting almost directly after I started seeing my therapist and today have no urge at all to engage in that activity. I don't take any anxiety medication any longer, nor antipsychotic meds, unless I feel a bit "manic-y". Through realizing (and in a very short time I might add) and talking about situations in my life that caused my hidden anxiety, I was able to finally not only build a levee but also have a freakin barbecue in the dried up swamp.
I understand why you say that some catastrophes involving the therapist seem to be more trouble then they are worth, however, aren't they just lessons and situations that we honestly need to learn in order to heal old wounds? I agree that learning from each other and ourselves is avery important thing to do, but at some points in our own lives we just aren't able to take a situation and make a logic or rational decision on our own. Having the guidance of a trained professional sometimes makes all the difference in the world. It did in my case.
You know, just a few days ago I lost a disk that had a very lengthy proposal on it. It was due in a few hours and I could have called my prof and told her about the situation and had a week's extension. Instead of resorting to my old ways, I started from scratch and created a new proposal that was even better than the first. I didn't even become stressed out in the slightest. Tell me that isn't a sign of improvement and I'll kiss you :) (See, the old me would have said I'll smack you!! Change is in the air, baby!)
poster:Karen_kay
thread:323619
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040308/msgs/323632.html