Shown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sebastian on September 16, 2003, at 20:53:34
Has anyone had a problem with this. For years I was told not to thought block.
Sebastian
Posted by Dinah on September 17, 2003, at 20:28:37
In reply to Thought blocking, posted by Sebastian on September 16, 2003, at 20:53:34
Sebastian, could you tell me more about what you mean? Do you mean like when you're in the middle of a sentence and something just clamps down on your brain and you can't remember anything of what you were trying to say?
Posted by pedr on September 19, 2003, at 5:15:52
In reply to Thought blocking, posted by Sebastian on September 16, 2003, at 20:53:34
Sebastian, there's nothing wrong with thought-blocking as long as the issues surrounding the blocked thought/belief have been recognised and challenged. For example there's a difference between going:
"oh my God, there's that terrifying thought again, I absolutely must avoid thinking it!!!" (which is not usually helpful)and
"aha. There's that unhelpful thought which I've tackled/combatted successfully many times. It's boring and unhelpful and I'm not going to bother with it." (which can be very helpful).
Does this make sense?
pedr.
Posted by Sebastian on September 20, 2003, at 20:23:53
In reply to Re: Thought blocking, posted by pedr on September 19, 2003, at 5:15:52
I think thought blocking was what they called it when I did not respond, sort of normal conversation. Realy I had nothing to say or my mind was blank, or maybe I couldn't think after the ECTs. But it realy bothered me. I felt like something was wrong with me but I couldn't change it? I guess it is also likely that my illness prevented me from talking, I went through spells of cutting off the world. My thought blocking was realy bad after ECT, this is when I started getting the comments a lot, and it bothered me. Everyone expected so much out of me I could not give it, then I felt put down for this. I don't understand. Maybe they were trying to help, it realy just made me more self concious and worry a lot.
Sebastian
Posted by Dogend on October 10, 2003, at 19:10:57
In reply to Re: Thought blocking, posted by Sebastian on September 20, 2003, at 20:23:53
I had a psychosis back in '99, followed by post psychotic depression. I was put on a moderate dose of Zyprexa and after a lot of trial and error with antidepressants, ended up on parnate.
During the time I was depressed, I also suffered from the same thought disorder you described. I call it thought blocking, but it is different. I tried to tell my psychiatrist about this problem, but he couldn't quite understand it properly. It was like, the idea of what I wanted to say was in my head. I had no prob there. It was when I translated the idea into words and sentances. Thats when I'de have trouble finding the right words to use and have difficulty forming sentances that would flow into eachother properly.
I blamed zypexa, thinking it numbed by brain too much (how I thought at the time).. My doc would only say it's supposed to help me think. Not long after I had some ECT, as the depression wouldn't shift properly. I dont remember it makeing the thought blocking any better or worse for that matter. Strangely enough it was when the zyprexa was ceased, I was able to speak properly again, with no strugle. I am now on reboxetine and 50mgs of amisulpride, and getting this thought disorder again. The amisulpride was added in as a booster to the reboxetine. Being an antipsychotic I can't help but wander if it is giveing me the thought blocking. Ive been looking for these answers, for about 4 years. Not haveing much luck. Im going to ask my doc if they can reduce the amisulpride, just so I can figure out if thats the problem.
Posted by cubic_me on October 16, 2003, at 5:51:33
In reply to Thought blocking, posted by Sebastian on September 16, 2003, at 20:53:34
I tend to 'go blank' in my mind alot, especially when people are trying to get me to open up about really difficult things. Maybe its thought blocking, but to me it just feels like I dont have anything to say and that makes me feel even worse about myself because I'm so bad at talking anyway.
_me
Posted by thistlethorn on October 25, 2003, at 20:24:45
In reply to Re: Thought blocking, posted by cubic_me on October 16, 2003, at 5:51:33
That's exactly what happens to me too. Every personal question, no matter how innocuous, that a doctor asks me feels like a blow. Knowing that I am expected to give an answer that will reveal something, anything, about myself, turns me into a cowering, wordless creature.
I wish I knew how to overcome this, but I don't.
Posted by phazedout on October 26, 2003, at 5:55:49
In reply to Re: Thought blocking » cubic_me, posted by thistlethorn on October 25, 2003, at 20:24:45
Ever thought the problem might not only be with you? To be honest it is difficult sharing 'personal' thoughts with anyone, you have to trust them first and believe that they aren't just going to 'trigger' some adverse reaction. So if you aren't able to share, then you simply are not ready to share. The best you can do is explain this to the doc (or whoever) and see if there is some way they can make you feel more at ease and trusting of them. Whatever, just sharing the 'fear' or 'blankness' gives them a little more insight. What you don't want to do is start turning it in on yourself and 'beating yourself up' because you didn't say 'this or that'.
Posted by cubic_me on October 27, 2003, at 6:31:04
In reply to Re: Thought blocking » cubic_me, posted by thistlethorn on October 25, 2003, at 20:24:45
Yeah, I wish I knew how to overcome it too. Even when I want so badly to talk, my mind goes blank, like I cant get in contact with everything that is going on inside me. It is very isolating, it isolates me even from my own emotion.
I've said that I go blank but people dont really understand because it puts them in the awkward position of thinking of what to say next when they were expecting a proper answer to whatever it was they were asking.
Posted by cubic_me on October 27, 2003, at 6:33:31
In reply to Re: Thought blocking, posted by phazedout on October 26, 2003, at 5:55:49
I do tell people that I trust that I go blank sometimes, but people who I dont really trust I cant even say that too. I just say 'I dont know' or something like that, and then feel like they think I'm stupid. Maybe I am, maybe I just need more practice....
Posted by thistlethorn on October 28, 2003, at 14:23:50
In reply to Re: Thought blocking » thistlethorn, posted by cubic_me on October 27, 2003, at 6:31:04
cubic_me, you describe the experience so well. It IS isolating ... and baffling and intensely, intensely frustrating.
For me, just having another person's undivided attention can be terrifying. It's almost as if I revert to some lower animal form: I am alive. My heart keeps beating. My external senses keep working. But all that is human inside me takes flight, and I can't feel anything but fear. At these times, thinking, let alone speaking, becomes nearly impossible.
I once heard the actor Anthony Hopkins describe a character he had played in a movie as someone who, when he walked into a room, the room became emptier. That is how, I imagine, people would describe me, too.
Do you have any idea why your mind closes itself off like this?
Posted by cubic_me on October 29, 2003, at 5:48:55
In reply to Re: Thought blocking, posted by thistlethorn on October 28, 2003, at 14:23:50
I know how that fear feels. I get really nervous, even though I know rationally that there is nothing to fear. Maybe its because I was knocked back by people when I was younger and I'm still afraid.
It's so frustrating - often between sessions I'll think of something that I want to discuss and I'll know how I feel about it and what I want to say, but when I get there I just cant think - the moment when I knew what I wanted to say seems so far away that I can no longer see it. I'm just looking into blackness.
I think the description of the character in a room is a good one, though I dont think you make this room feel emtier. Its definately fuller because of you.
> cubic_me, you describe the experience so well. It IS isolating ... and baffling and intensely, intensely frustrating.
>
> For me, just having another person's undivided attention can be terrifying. It's almost as if I revert to some lower animal form: I am alive. My heart keeps beating. My external senses keep working. But all that is human inside me takes flight, and I can't feel anything but fear. At these times, thinking, let alone speaking, becomes nearly impossible.
>
> I once heard the actor Anthony Hopkins describe a character he had played in a movie as someone who, when he walked into a room, the room became emptier. That is how, I imagine, people would describe me, too.
>
> Do you have any idea why your mind closes itself off like this?
>
Posted by thistlethorn on October 30, 2003, at 12:11:57
In reply to Re: Thought blocking » thistlethorn, posted by cubic_me on October 29, 2003, at 5:48:55
Thank you, cubic_me. Your words move me deeply, and I cherish your writing them to me.
Clearly, in spite of the hurt and sadness that you have had in your life, you have somehow managed to maintain a gentle, generous nature. I hope someday, your therapist will be fortunate enough to get to know this inner dimension of yours.
A pdoc I used to see once compared the communication dilemma we seem to share with something that happens between chemicals. As I understand it, when a chemical is able to react to the same degree with each of 2 other chemicals, it becomes totally UNable to react with either of them in the presence of the other. It gets stuck, as it were, between the two, and ends up inert.
We get stuck between wanting to speak and fearing the consequences, and we end up silent.
Maybe a chemist can give us some advice?
Posted by cubic_me on October 31, 2003, at 6:21:05
In reply to Re: Thought blocking, posted by thistlethorn on October 30, 2003, at 12:11:57
You are so sweet thistlethorn! And I love your little sayings - I love to read anything that might help me make sense of things. I've not heard of the chemicals idea, but it kind of makes sense - it just seems so pointless!
It almost seems to me like therapy will be a waste of time until there is some other magic solution that lets us talk freely. Someone asked in another post: what do you say when the therapist says 'where did you go?'. I think they meant when you go into your own world for abit. Whenever I'm asked, I honestly dont know, its just blank - nothingness. I feel like I should be thinking something but nothing is there to draw on. That sounds really confusing, I hope you understand!
Posted by karen_kay on October 31, 2003, at 16:38:21
In reply to Re: Thought blocking » thistlethorn, posted by cubic_me on October 29, 2003, at 5:48:55
I too had the problem of thought blocking for the longest time. The way that I over came this problem is that my therapist (God love him) began to let me lead the sessions. I was abused as a child, so I feel a lot better when I am in control of a situation. Since he let me be in control of therapy, I began to open up more. On Monday, I am going to start talking about my dad and the things that he did to me as a child. I don't know if this helps any, but I know that this was the situation for me. Being able to initiate therapy solved the problem of thought blocking for me. Before, we used to just sit in silence and I used to just wait for the sessions to be over. Currently, I dread the end of the sessions and I look forward to going to my appoinments with him. Just a thought. Karen
Posted by thistlethorn on November 1, 2003, at 11:47:57
In reply to Re: Thought blocking » thistlethorn, posted by cubic_me on October 31, 2003, at 6:21:05
I understand, cubic_me. Oh, boy, do I understand! But even if we can't currently make full use of our therapy sessions, even if all we can do in our sessions is, maybe, nod our heads a couple of times or grunt a reply or two, I honestly don't think we're wasting our time.
There was a reason we went into therapy in the first place: we were in pain. Now, by continuing to go to our sessions, we are, in effect, saying to ourselves and to the world: wait a second! I DON'T deserve to suffer this much. And I'm NOT going to wait for some magic potion to free me of my misery. I'm taking action.
IMO, we have to keep doing what we can, how we can and when we can, to bring positive change into our lives, even when the likelihood of achieving this is dim at best. The worst thing we can do is give up on ourselves. No matter how high and thick the walls of this prison that we inhabit are, we have to keep trying to scratch our way out of it, climb over it, crawl beneath it, blast through it, and do every other thing we can think of to escape. Resigning ourselves to live in it forever -- THAT would be the waste of time, the most wasteful waste of time of all! IMHO.
I read a lot and search for metaphors for my experiences in an effort to place a little distance between them and me. I've been told that if I can learn to look at my problems more "clinically," then I might be better able to speak about them and deal with them. Sometimes, though, my writing gets out of control. If you've found that to be the case, I hope you'll forgive me.
tt
Posted by thistlethorn on November 1, 2003, at 12:30:59
In reply to Re: Thought blocking, posted by karen_kay on October 31, 2003, at 16:38:21
Thank you for your suggestion, Karen! It's an interesting idea!
May I ask if you always know where you want to "lead" the session to? And does it always go there, or are you sometimes surprised or dismayed at where it ends up?
And may I also ask if you ever bring up a topic, but still get stuck in trying to elaborate on it? What does your therapist do in that case?
I suspect that the pdoc I see would welcome my taking the lead during our meetings. At this point, I don't think I would be able to do that, but, maybe, there would be some value in my preparing for sessions AS IF I were going to do it. It might help me retain some of the thoughts that pass through my mind between sessions, and make them more accessible when I need them.
I think I'll give your suggestion a try.
Before I end this post, thank you, too, Karen, for letting me and others know that you're finding your therapy helpful. You were given a very unfair start in life, and I admire you HUGELY for overcoming it.
tt
Posted by karen_kay on November 1, 2003, at 17:06:05
In reply to Re: Thought blocking » karen_kay, posted by thistlethorn on November 1, 2003, at 12:30:59
> Thank you for your suggestion, Karen! It's an interesting idea!
>
> May I ask if you always know where you want to "lead" the session to? And does it always go there, or are you sometimes surprised or dismayed at where it ends up?
> Yes, I am always prepared. I bring my journal and have a full set of notes as to what I ( the key word!) want to discuss. Sometimes we end up discussing other topics. One times he brought up a subject that we had not discussed in a while. It was a dissappointment because yet again I was not in control and I did not have much to say at that session. The next session however, I ripped him a new one!! And we discussed that topic in great detail.
> And may I also ask if you ever bring up a topic, but still get stuck in trying to elaborate on it? What does your therapist do in that case?
> Honestly, since I feel that I am now in control I never get stuck. My thoughts seem to come at a great pace. Once we feel that the subject has really been resolved, I move on the the next subject. Soemtimes he brings up new subjects and I really dislike this idea because I dislike being "submissive". I know this is something that I will have to overcome.
> I suspect that the pdoc I see would welcome my taking the lead during our meetings. At this point, I don't think I would be able to do that, but, maybe, there would be some value in my preparing for sessions AS IF I were going to do it. It might help me retain some of the thoughts that pass through my mind between sessions, and make them more accessible when I need them.
>
> I think I'll give your suggestion a try.
>
> Before I end this post, thank you, too, Karen, for letting me and others know that you're finding your therapy helpful. You were given a very unfair start in life, and I admire you HUGELY for overcoming it.
>
> ttOne thing though: I had a major breakthough before we tried this method. I realized that I could talk to him like a person instead of like a shrink. I know this sounds silly but I kept seeing him as some type of mystic being that could tell when I was lying, or uncomfortable. One session though, things just flowed naturally and we talked like "friends" or just "humans" rather than a client and doctor. He noticed that I seemed to lead the conversations and suggested I started doing this. Then, we just started talking aobut smaller things, like problems in my relationships with others and problems relating with my mother, ect. Just things to make me feel more comfortable talking with him, even though we have been speakign with each other for over 6 months. We have purposly been avoiding the indepth details of the relationship with my father. Now, I can't wait to speak with him about my father. Maybe now, I will be more comfortable with him leading the sessions. I'm not sure if that was his goal all along or if that is just what happened. See, I am still mystified with shrinks and their strange ways. They sure are great. This is why I fall in love with them!!! I hope this approach works for you like it is working for me! Good luck hun! Try it and see what happens! Let me know what happens. And thanks so much for your support. I do appreciate it! Karen
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