Posted by Pfinstegg on March 8, 2004, at 0:39:15
In reply to Re: that's hilarious but also not » Apperceptor, posted by Fallen4myT on March 7, 2004, at 23:41:43
I guess some people might know from old posts that I go to a psychoanalyst, and so lie on a couch. The possibilities for embarrasment are ENDLESS! There you are, open to view, unable to see him, but very aware that he can see everything you do. When I first started lying down on it, I was EXTREMELY nervous; I just couldn't lie still, but would keep flailing my legs around, and getting into awkward positions- all the while trying my best to free-associate and also listen to sometimes alarming and even terrifying comments and interpretations (including ones concerning my body posture and movement) issuing from just behind my right ear. There are two pillows on the couch- one for your head, and one alongside for sitting up and leaning against. The worst day I ever had was when I knocked first one and then the other pillow onto the floor. I sat up to try and retrieve them; but then my necklace came undone and fell to the floor also, along with my purse, which flew open and spilled everything out. I made another desperate grab for those, and FELL OFF THE COUCH MYSELF!
But, he was really terrific. He began laughing and then I did too. We both had a real case of the giggles. All the tension died down (for the time being, we were safely off the topic which had caused all of this.). As I scrabbled around to gather everything up, he told me that he had actually written a paper called "Falling Off the Couch"! He said it happens quite a lot when patients' emotions are really running high. I had never heard of anyone doing that, but I think it was kind of a turning point, as I don't flail around now, the way I used to. That's one thing about the couch- you are trusting your body, as well as your thoughts and feelings- to your analyst. It's really kind of a privilege, you know?
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:321334
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040303/msgs/321901.html