Posted by Dinah on June 29, 2009, at 22:14:26
In reply to Suddenly develop Dependent Personality Disorder?, posted by garnet71 on June 29, 2009, at 21:47:29
I think by definition personality disorders represent pervasive behavioral patterns, so I don't think they can be suddenly developed.
I do think that circumstances can conspire to uncover long hidden feelings and needs. That sustained pressure can cause upheaval along previously unsuspected faultlines in our defense systems. That's not even a bad thing, since it might create an opportunity to work on those things that are usually well below the surface.
In the natural course of events, you'd have discovered through innumerable ruptures and repairs that he was perhaps not so wonderful after all, and then (if you are lucky) that while he wasn't wonderful he was perhaps good enough. But you didn't have that luxury because he was thinking of it as a consultation.
I think different therapists have different reactions to a strong and immediate transference reaction. It depends on their knowledge and experience, their life circumstances, and their professional circumstances, how they react. But maybe that's good too, since we just as well know up front whether they're up for the journey.
I think that I found my therapist when I was at one of those moments. I don't think my therapist knew quite what to think of me, and he isn't psychoanalytically oriented. But we muddled through somehow.
poster:Dinah
thread:903860
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090614/msgs/903865.html