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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by annierose on December 27, 2004, at 17:05:55
Well today wasn't one of my better sessions.
My T, in repeating something I said, kept getting it wrong. She literary did not understand my speech. Now, I do speak quickly. But I have been seeing this T for a year, twice a week, and today made me wonder, has she struggled this badly in the past? After I corrected her 3 times (on various topics), the next time it occured, I just let it slide. For the remaining time, I tried to consciously speak slower, but we were just crossing wires. Drove me nuts. I do lie down, which only adds to the problem. Should I sit up next time and address this? I guess I know the answer.
Posted by gardenergirl on December 27, 2004, at 17:45:02
In reply to T didn't understand a word I said, posted by annierose on December 27, 2004, at 17:05:55
I had one or two bad sessions when my T was not himself. He jumped in too quickly to offer interpretations and did not always understand what I was saying. I checked with a friend of mine later, who coincidentally also sees my T, and she noticed the same thing around the same time. We just chalked it up to something going on with him. I did talk to him about it later, though. I think he was surprised that I noticed and that it kind of derailed things for a bit. But we got back on track. I hope you do, too.
gg
Posted by Fallen4MyT on December 27, 2004, at 17:46:51
In reply to T didn't understand a word I said, posted by annierose on December 27, 2004, at 17:05:55
Wow Annierose I am sorry I hate being misunderstood, I guess we all do....Maybe next time you could ask her what was that all about? She MAY (?) have been having an off day....If she keeps it up I think??? think I say lol that I would see someone else..easier said than done but I bet she was just having a bad day. Me and my T usually get one another but once he thought something BAD I was doing was good.....and I am still thinking he was just not listening to WHAT I had been doing ...I made a sarcastic comment hahaha so do not do that :P that is just wrong
Posted by Dinah on December 27, 2004, at 20:06:43
In reply to T didn't understand a word I said, posted by annierose on December 27, 2004, at 17:05:55
Yeah, I think you do know the answer. :)
They all have off days. But when mine has an off day, I do make a point of making sure he gets what I'm saying if I have to occasionally ask him to repeat it to me in his own words. I do it very nicely of course, and in terms of being afraid that I'm not expressing myself well enough for him to understand. But on those days he is having a bad day, that seems to center him and he pays more attention.
I don't think there's a need to be overly confrontational about it, but I do think it's a sign of good therapy when they struggle to understand what we're saying rather than just let us keep going.
Posted by annierose on December 27, 2004, at 21:52:14
In reply to Re: T didn't understand a word I said » annierose, posted by gardenergirl on December 27, 2004, at 17:45:02
Maybe it was a post-holiday hangover (not necessarily the alcohol kind). I have decided to bring it up next time. Thanks.
Posted by annierose on December 27, 2004, at 21:54:32
In reply to Re: T didn't understand a word I said » annierose, posted by Fallen4MyT on December 27, 2004, at 17:46:51
Yeah, couldn't, wouldn't change T's based on this one experience. She has misunderstood me in the past, but today, was WOW. Did she "get" anything I said ... way off! And it just got me wondering if my rapid speech is too much sometimes. Maybe she didn't have her coffee yet :)
Posted by annierose on December 27, 2004, at 21:57:41
In reply to Re: T didn't understand a word I said » annierose, posted by Dinah on December 27, 2004, at 20:06:43
Dinah -
I liked what you said, "it's a sign of good therapy when they struggle to understand". I think that is so true. I always feel she is totally with me, engaged. And that's why I like her so much. But today, I felt she was speaking about another solar system.
Posted by Fallen4MyT on December 27, 2004, at 22:09:08
In reply to Re: T didn't understand a word I said » Fallen4MyT, posted by annierose on December 27, 2004, at 21:54:32
Annierose that is how my T was that time ...like sooooo off base. No never ditch them over 1 time. I have seen my T for years and if I found he didn't get it...at all and didn't I would ask him for a refund :P I still think your T was just off cause of hoidays, maybe stress and or a family illness but I would ask. I talk fast too must be a midwest deal :P
> Yeah, couldn't, wouldn't change T's based on this one experience. She has misunderstood me in the past, but today, was WOW. Did she "get" anything I said ... way off! And it just got me wondering if my rapid speech is too much sometimes. Maybe she didn't have her coffee yet :)
Posted by annierose on December 28, 2004, at 17:40:40
In reply to Re: T didn't understand a word I said » annierose, posted by Fallen4MyT on December 27, 2004, at 22:09:08
Well I decided to sit (rather than lie down) today to start. I asked her if she remembered having any difficulty understanding me yesterday. She said she did not, and ask for examples (non-defensively). I gave her the example where I gave up trying to explain myself and she still had troubles understanding the scenario today, but finally got it. She said (and this is no attempt at a word by word quote) that I may speak quickly in attempt to "get social interaction over with", that I'm uncomfortable speaking and am afraid that the listener won't listen. I think part of that might be true, but now at age 43, it's just my speech pattern. I consciously spoke slower today, she giggled because she could hear how difficult it was for me. Without babble, I don't think I would have had the confidence to speak to her about this. And I'm glad I had an appt today (instead of my regular Thurs). Thanks to everyone who replied!!
Posted by Dinah on December 28, 2004, at 19:26:22
In reply to Re: Saw T today / Update, posted by annierose on December 28, 2004, at 17:40:40
That's terrific! She didn't blow you off by denying it. And you came up with some possible solutions.
I always like to attack the problem head on, if possible. :)
Posted by Fallen4MyT on December 28, 2004, at 20:04:39
In reply to Re: Saw T today / Update, posted by annierose on December 28, 2004, at 17:40:40
Good now you do not have to wonder and worry and can work at maybe slowing down....but do others not catch your fast talk or just her?
Posted by Annierose on December 28, 2004, at 20:30:15
In reply to Re: Saw T today / Update, posted by Fallen4MyT on December 28, 2004, at 20:04:39
Sad to say Fallen that only my kids and my best girl friend understand me 98% of the time ... my husband claims he is at a 60% rate, but I think that is more due to him NOT LISTENING! He always says it in a joking manner. But when I'm excited, anxious or upset, I think it makes it all the harder (hence therapy conversations are full of those). Plus, I do lie down 90% of the time now, so she doesn't have any visuals.
Dinah - yes, she was good how she handled it. I left feeling good. I'm taking the kids skiing for 4 days so I won't see her on Thursday. And she joked with me about coming back in a cast.
Posted by Fallen4MyT on December 28, 2004, at 20:45:25
In reply to Re: Saw T today / Update, posted by Annierose on December 28, 2004, at 20:30:15
Annierose for what it is worth I talk very fast a lot too and when my best freind and I talk we both talk fast and at the same time..we can understand each other even them AND hahahaha my hubby is just stunned by it..maybe it is us genius types who talk fast :-)
Posted by Dinah on December 28, 2004, at 21:02:49
In reply to Re: Saw T today / Update, posted by Annierose on December 28, 2004, at 20:30:15
Have a great trip! Sounds like fun.
This is the end of the thread.
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