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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Pandabear on January 29, 2004, at 17:53:21
I need some advice...OK, my therapist seems to think that the medicine im on, Lamictal is not helping my obsessive tendencies...and lately im obsessing over a lot..mainly I find myself obsessing about NOT talking to my therapist. I live literally right across the street from her office and you might say that that is great..but it is both good and bad...because for someone that is so dependent and obsessive...I cannot go and talk to her anytime I want...so I have to be careful about that. Im coming home depressed everyday because I know that she is there and if I wanted I could go and try and speak to her but I wont do that because it is wrong. I have gotten to where I dont call her anymore when im feeling like I need to talk to her because I dont want her to be upset with me. Like today, I was so confused and my thoughts were racing and I was blaming myself for everything wrong in my life, and I wanted to call her but I thought she would think i was being obsessive..I just had a session with her yesterday...so for me to call her today would be alittle obsessed..right? I dont know.So, I made it through the day without talking to her but I was really anxious. Now that im home, if i slow down my thoughts race and I start obsessing again about how i cannot talk to her and i have no one to talk to and I just dont know what to do or how to speak to her about this..OR IS IT JUST ME BEING STUPID? It is so hard for me to stop...but i dont know if this means my medicine isnt working or what...Lamictal is a mood disorder drug..not for OCD...and i was told that if my obsessions didnt stop they would change me from Lamictal..I thought about dropping all of my appts but I feel that this is a time that I need really need to be seeing her..you know? I dont know any advice on how to handle this annoying situation would be wonderful ...I hate the way im feeling...thanks.
PB
Posted by Susan J on January 29, 2004, at 18:04:11
In reply to way to obsessed...., posted by Pandabear on January 29, 2004, at 17:53:21
Hi, I'm sorry it's so rough right now. :-(
>>I have gotten to where I dont call her anymore when im feeling like I need to talk to her because I dont want her to be upset with me.
<<Has she ever placed limits on how often you can call, or what types of situations are appropriate? I don't know anything about OCD, really, but your therapist *knows* what you are dealing with and would expect certain types of behavior, like calling.>>OR IS IT JUST ME BEING STUPID?
<<You are *not* being stupid! You are obviously not feeling well and *maybe* you do need a med change. Maybe they can add something for OCD without taking away the Lamictal? How often do you see your therapist? Have you tried writing down what you are feeling so you can take those notes in when you talk to her next time?Unless she's told you not to call, I think it's just fine to call her and tell her you are not feeling well and want to try and fix it.
Hang in there, I hope you are feeling better soon.
Susan
Posted by Pandabear on January 29, 2004, at 19:15:10
In reply to Questions... » Pandabear, posted by Susan J on January 29, 2004, at 18:04:11
Thanks for your post. I see my therapist right now twice a week...but im going to be backing off because of my insurance...which is really starting to scare me because I really need to talk to her. But, She hasnt put a limit on my phone calls..I have actually done really well..i used to call her every day..but now I havent talked to her on the phone since the beginning of January..but thats why i feel so weird calling her now...I dont know. It is also hard when she calls me back bc she is on a time limit when she is talking to me and also she always calls me back when im at work. I have called her after work but thats not really fair to her because she is trying to leave her work! I do write stuff down and bring it in to her but that frustrates me because there is other stuff that we are working on and for me to bring something new in means that we have to stop everything else that we are in the middle of..(this happens EVERY WEEK). She told me that if I ever needed her I could call and not to worry about upsetting her or any of the staff bc this is what they are here for..BUT, a few weeks ago, the receptionist was getting annoyed that I was calling..so it really made me feel awkward about calling her. But, I might tomorrow depending on how im feeling. I dont meet with my psychiatrist until week after next and I might see if she can meet with me sooner...I REALLY DONT want to switch meds because I have done that several times...but we shall see....
Posted by gardenergirl on January 29, 2004, at 22:53:06
In reply to Re: Questions... » Susan J, posted by Pandabear on January 29, 2004, at 19:15:10
PB,
I'm sorry things are so difficult right now. I can see how living right across from her can be both a comfort and a distraction. I wonder if you shared with her your concerns about wanting to call but trying not to during your next session if that would help ease things.Also, I would tend to believe her when she says not to worry about calling. But her staff may be less tolerant and skilled in dealing with this than she is (I'm thinking of the secretary where I work who can make people cry at the drop of the hat). Try not to worry about whether you are bothering the support staff. That's for the T to manage.
About the obsessive thoughts. That must be really difficult to cope with. I admire you for working hard on this. One thought I had...have you ever tried meditation? That can help at times in managing racing or obsessive thoughts. If you focus on the task, say repeating a mantra like "om" over and over, you just get back on task if you get distracted by thoughts. Just go back to saying to yourself "om" over and over. I know it helps me when I am getting racing, anxious thoughts.
Good luck in addressing this with your T. I also hope you can get the answers you are looking for regarding your meds.
Take care,
gg
Posted by Pandabear on January 29, 2004, at 23:06:22
In reply to Re: Questions..., posted by gardenergirl on January 29, 2004, at 22:53:06
Thanks. My therapist did mention one meditation technique which i have tried ..where you breathe in and exhale and focus on your breathing while your muscles slowly relax...but as soon as I find myself relaxing...my thoughts immediately start back again..:( But thanks for your idea. I am so frustrated right now...I have never been this confused about my life...its nutty. But I will be ok I hope...:)
Posted by gardenergirl on January 29, 2004, at 23:37:41
In reply to Re: Questions... » gardenergirl, posted by Pandabear on January 29, 2004, at 23:06:22
Posted by Dinah on January 30, 2004, at 1:17:57
In reply to Re: Questions... » gardenergirl, posted by Pandabear on January 29, 2004, at 23:06:22
Have you read "Stop Obsessing!" or "Brain Lock"? They each have some useful tricks in helping the OCD. The cognitive behavior treatment for OCD does seem like a bag of tricks, but if you put enough useful tricks in your bag it really is helpful. I preferred "Stop Obsessing" and two of my favorite tricks are singing the obession, and bringing the obsession to its logical conclusion. When I do the latter, I make it as compltely outrageous as I can. Obsessions don't seem to like being laughted at (or at least mine don't) and often go away when I can manage it. But that's my bag of tricks, yours might be different.
Posted by gardenergirl on January 30, 2004, at 10:45:14
In reply to Re: Questions... » Pandabear, posted by Dinah on January 30, 2004, at 1:17:57
This is the end of the thread.
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