Posted by daisym on November 15, 2004, at 22:26:55
I need some help with a small, not huge, (not going let it get huge) problem. I have been getting really dizzy in therapy lately. Actually therapy isn't the only place, but I fight it harder there. I want to stay in the room and talk to my therapist. If I let myself float away, just space out, I'm not dizzy. If I fight it, it gets awful. I usually tell him: "room is spinning." He always offers to stop and let me bring myself back down.
We worked on this today, and decided that I'm holding my breath unconsciously, due to fear or anxiety, so this is most likely what is making me dizzy. (I might also be holding my breath as I hold in emotions and/or tears.) We tried working together on a relaxation exercise, with him narrating "slow, deep breaths, focus on air in, air out" but I only lasted 1 minute before I made him stop. It was too scary, too filled with old threats. He asked a couple of questions and I just burst into tears, telling him I feel so stupid that I can't do this! After all, who is safer to not be guarded with?
I really want to stop being dizzy in sessions. Any suggestions? Silently focusing is threatening for me too, btw.
poster:daisym
thread:416443
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20041113/msgs/416443.html