Posted by Lindenblüte on November 7, 2006, at 19:02:23
In reply to Re: Seeking Advice/diagnosis » Lindenblüte, posted by Adrift on November 7, 2006, at 18:22:22
> I got myself an appointment with T, which was today and it went ok, the diagnosis was "normal anxiety" considering my circumstances at the moment. I must say that I am not completely sure that I agree but I am not the T.. Adding antidepressants were suggested, I am thinking about it, I have a prescription in hand if things get too bad, although I know that ad's dont work THAT fast. But overall my T does not feel that "talk therapy" is what will help me?? He felt that I need to change my lifesyle. In other words, "just do it" attitude. So, it sounds like he feels that my excessive worrying and depression is a result of me not doing what I want to do, Im just passively living my life. If I knew how to fix that, I would! As for concerns about eating, he reminded me of what happened last time I wasn't eating right. That hasn't really knocked sense into me yet, but I hope it does.
>
> Thanks everyoneHi Adrift,
first of all, BRAVO at getting an appt. with T. I'm not sure if you've worked with this T in the past, but keep in mind that it's hard to get a sense of what's going on with a client in one meeting.Also, I want to stress that it's hard for me to know exactly what was said in your session, so please forgive me if I'm totally wrong! I apologize in advance!
Let's pretend like you're depressed, and let's suppose that there was some general anxiety about the life-stressors that is causing or exacerbating your depression.
If you are feeling bad enough that you got an Rx for an AD, it might be a good idea to get used to it while you're feeling okay. Just an idea, but if you see your situation worsening in the next 4-8 weeks, why not get the AD in your system now, so that it will be ready to do its job if the situation arises? Another thing to consider is that if you have icky side-effects, they usually fade in a few days, but if you are already feeling really lousy, or in a crisis, you don't want to add side effects to that too.
Of course your T is right. If you made some lifestyle changes you would probably feel better. However, what you and your T are not communicating to each other is that your problem is that Apathy and Passivity are precisely the things you are struggling with. Obviously part of you WANTS to feel better, but your T needs to figure out how to strengthen that part of you so that it can override the depressive voice.
I completely understand how frustrating it is to hear someone say that doing something is the solution to apathy. It's just like saying that black is the solution to white. But why apathy in the first place?
And worse-- what happens if your apathy is stronger one day? Will you feel guilty and shameful and weak for not following your T's instructions? I know I do. If I'm feeling bad enough to see a T in the first place it's because I no longer am able to do things like (exercise, eat healthfully, socialize) that keep my mind and body sound. If your T had said that to ME when I am feeling really bad, I would not be able to deny that it's good advice; on the other hand, I would not be able to put the plan in action either. I would feel less in control over my own mind/body. Potentially very frustrating.
My oldT (the one I saw when I was really depressed) told me once that if I was able to exercise that it might make me feel better. Another time he told me that if I get a craving for vegetables, or other healthy food, I should indulge- because my body was trying to tell me what it needed.
He only gave me direct advice on TWO occasions.
1) he told me after some 6 weeks that he had been discussing my circumstances with a colleague, and that both had felt that I needed to consider medication. He said that he would never ask me to do something unless he felt it was really important, and gave me the phone number of a pdoc to call. (great referral)
2) he told me after some 4 months that he felt that I could really benefit from seeing another T on a more frequent, more long-term basis, and gave me the referral. He told me that he thought that I had made a lot of progress and that he was really proud of me, but that I needed to take the next step. (another great referral)
So, when I asked oldT for advice, he would lay out the options, and we would go through them carefully. He'd challenge me when I said something that wasn't quite up to snuff. He'd ask me to think about the emotional consequences of my decisions (which I had never thought about before). But, he didn't give me advice that I had already heard 10,000 times. He just helped me figure out what was good advice for me and what was not-so-good advice for me.
It's important to empower the patient/client to make their own choices, IMO.
It's also important for a T not to give their client a reason to feel shame or guilt (one such reason might be the failure to meet a T's goal, or to follow a T's advice)-- again, my opinion.
Less-depressed folks might disagree with me, but I think these are really important to how I was able to feel better.
keep posting Adrift,
(((((((Adrift))))))))
thinking of you,
-Li
poster:Lindenblüte
thread:700512
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20061026/msgs/701393.html