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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Partlycloudy on July 9, 2014, at 12:34:55
After the last stormy few weeks, I didn't know what to expect. I usually have done some journaling between sessions, but physically felt so out of it that even that was beyond my ability. By Monday of this week, I was feeling more myself. I was able to notice a few things:
No panic attacks since I have returned home. A victory in itself.
An extended leave from my spouse seems to have done us both good, as I had hoped it would. Pretty much, I bugged out, with a yoga retreat, the ill-chosen "nursing" trip to be bossed around by my sister until I couldn't take it anymore, then the fun time at rehab. The intention was to give us some time apart; for perspective, for self health, and for a chance for him not to focus solely upon me for a while. He drives his bicycle like a madman now. He's been able to resume a healthy (if wary) relationship with a daughter who moved back from Colorado. And I did all my stuff.The outcome has been a calming and healthy one for my marriage. I have cooled down considerably as far as my tolerance for noise and visual stimuli.
My therapist is really happy for me. I have several helpful classes coming up to further help with my anxiety. She's suggested one and the two I pursued on my own.
That's me this week. Anyone else?
Posted by Poet on July 10, 2014, at 11:20:58
In reply to Therapy felt so normal today!, posted by Partlycloudy on July 9, 2014, at 12:34:55
My therapist is doing brainspotting now (it's similar to emdr). I honestly thought it was bunk until I felt like a little girl and it brought up emotions that made me start to cry. I never cry in therapy so that alone showed me that there is something to it.
She wants to do more this week and I'm to let her know what I want to work on, hint, more child hood stuff. Sigh, can't we just work on career failure? Oh, wait, she can't create miracles.
Poet
Posted by Partlycloudy on July 10, 2014, at 15:03:23
In reply to Re: Therapy felt so normal today!, posted by Poet on July 10, 2014, at 11:20:58
I will have to ask about brain spotting. I am slowing getting better at processing trauma.
My T told me about the experience of doing yoga while on a horse. I can't imagine having that kind of trust.
Special kind of people, these therapists.
PC
Posted by baseball55 on July 10, 2014, at 19:47:32
In reply to Re: Therapy felt so normal today! » Poet, posted by Partlycloudy on July 10, 2014, at 15:03:23
I saw my p-doc today. I have been seeing him for an hour every 4 or 5 weeks for a while now. We had cut back to 1/2 hour every month or two, but since leaving my husband, I have wanted to talk to him more. I just love him. I always feel so good after I leave. He isn't really my therapist anymore - I see a DBT social worker every week or two for therapy. I just don't want to stop seeing him and I'm always so happy when I do see him. He's made me feel very good about my decision to leave my husband and is really rooting for me.
Posted by Partlycloudy on July 11, 2014, at 10:17:11
In reply to Re: Therapy felt so normal today!, posted by baseball55 on July 10, 2014, at 19:47:32
It's really important for you to feel supported in your decision. Your pdoc probably knows this. How are you feeling? And how is the DBT therapy going? Many people say it is a difficult modality.
(Thanks for contributing to this thread. I really want this board to thrive!)
Posted by baseball55 on July 11, 2014, at 21:06:39
In reply to Re: Therapy felt so normal today! » baseball55, posted by Partlycloudy on July 11, 2014, at 10:17:11
> It's really important for you to feel supported in your decision. Your pdoc probably knows this. How are you feeling? And how is the DBT therapy going? Many people say it is a difficult modality.
> (Thanks for contributing to this thread. I really want this board to thrive!)Yeah. He's great about being validating and supportive. But he doesn't want to work with me on other issues, like my fear of being alone and tendency to go to the dark side. He'll listen to me talk about it a little, but then tell me that I need to work more on these things with the SW. There was a time when I was so dependent on him that it pained me and he felt he wasn't able to help me in therapy. He's okay with me still seeing him, but wants to be really clear about where the boundaries are. Which is good.
The DBT is helpful. She tries to help me experience dark emotions as passing episodes that I exacerbate by becoming fearful. She wants me to note where in my body I experience emotions and what thoughts they bring up, so I can separate the physical sensation (like choking up) from the psychic sensation (sadness) from the thoughts about the feeling (despair, this will never get better).
She also helps me develop coping skills and plan how to get through difficult periods instead of becoming fearful. Another DBT issue revolves around "interpersonal effectiveness" - learning to confront relationship issues in constructive ways, becoming more assertive and effective in getting what you need and want from people. For me, this is a big issue because I tend to not confront people when they treat me badly. This was a big problem with my husband. I let him mistreat me and blamed myself and got depressed rather than confronting him.
I never thought, when I started therapy for the first time in my life nine years ago, that I would still be seeing someone today. But I find it so useful. I love both my therapist and my p-doc. I respect them and value our relationships and never feel I'm wasting my time. And my insurance covers it....
Posted by Partlycloudy on July 12, 2014, at 7:25:24
In reply to Re: Therapy felt so normal today! » Partlycloudy, posted by baseball55 on July 11, 2014, at 21:06:39
I'm glad it is all working for you the way it's supposed to. And great boundaries the pdoc has, so important in any healthcare relationship.
It's great your support team is seeing you through this change in your life, and doing it wisely. (I am proud, and envious.)
This is the end of the thread.
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