Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 251041

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Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby

Posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 8:24:03

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 15, 2003, at 18:33:39

There are a lot of similarities to our situations.

Transference with old therapist who didn't know how to deal with it.

Experienced new therapist who can deal with transference

Those d***ed vacations!!!!!

Just after my new therapist did his 20 minutes of magic he went on vacation for 2 weeks. He wasn't leaving right away, so he did see me on the Monday that began his vacation - I feel lucky. I'll see him in 3 days 2 hours and 45 minutes. He gave me his cell phone number so I could call if I needed to. Of course I don't want to call him on vacation. I'm managing, but even though I haven't been seeing him for very long, I need him. I also need my old therapist. I think I need the new one because he helps me deal with not having the old one.

Three weeks is a very long time. Will you know how to cope? Do you have emergency coverage? At least Babble will be here!

You have kids, right? I find that one of the greatest distractions is to do something with my kids. I find it hard to be motivated to do stuff for me, but I can pull it together to do things for them. Plus, they make things more fun.

Hang in there! Each day you make it through is one fewer day before he gets back from vacation.

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » Dinah

Posted by stebby on August 16, 2003, at 13:27:19

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by Dinah on August 15, 2003, at 19:00:24

Tell me why you are having doubts about therapy?

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby

Posted by Dinah on August 16, 2003, at 13:36:45

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » Dinah, posted by stebby on August 16, 2003, at 13:27:19

I was just in a bad mood about my therapist. For one thing, he has different therapy goals than I do, and we're skirmishing a bit on refining them.

For another thing, I'm annoyed about the approximately one week a month he spends at his other job.

And although I don't think he had done it yet when I wrote this, yesterday he told me that I should just do my work anyway, no matter how I feel. What brilliant advice. My problems are solved.

So I was just venting a bit.

However, after a nasty experience with my first Seroquel last night, I'm back to thinking therapy isn't so bad. :) There are side effects, but not as many as meds.

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall

Posted by stebby on August 16, 2003, at 13:47:29

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 8:24:03

It does sound like we have a very similar situation. Do you still think about your old therapist much? Its been a year since we terminated, and I still look for her car where ever I go. She drives a blue Audi. Do you know how many blue Audi's there are on the road? 1,000,000's! I've almost gotten in car accidents trying to figure out if it was her driving by. Its so crazy, I wish I could make it go away.

I'm going out of town for a couple of days camping with my kids and husband. When I get back on Tuesday there is a chance I could see my therapist again, but I feel so pathetic calling as if I can't survive without her. Is it better to admit you need her and see her as often as you can, or is it better to be strong and try to get along without her? I seem to try to get along without her and then my "weaker" side gives in.

How old are your kids? My boys are 4 and 7. They do keep me distracted. They also force me to keep it together. I am so afraid that my mental state will impact them. I think our camping trip should be a really good distraction.

 

Re: Why bother with therapy?

Posted by stebby on August 16, 2003, at 14:24:00

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by Dinah on August 16, 2003, at 13:36:45

Yes, its funny how our feelings about our therapists can change so quickly. Sometimes you just want them to have more positive impact than they do, and other times you think they are wonderful. Who knows, it probably depends on the phase of the moon :-) Venting always helps on those less impactful days. What was the seroquel prescribed for?

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby

Posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 15:30:49

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 16, 2003, at 13:47:29

I left my old therapist 2 months ago. When I drive through town, there is a short cut (it really is shorter) that goes past her office. I look in her windows to see if the lights are on. She has either been taking time off (not her vacation, I know when that was) or she's working with the lights off (seems strange to me).

I think about her whenever I am feeling bad - I used to be able to think about her and feel warm and fuzzy. Now I just feel empty. Today I was thinking about her, wanting to see her, but when I started thinking about the conversation I didn't want to see her any more. Sometimes I fantasize that I'm there to see my pdoc (across the hall) and she wants to talk to me. It is so hard to go from "The sun rises and sets on you" to "You hurt me so much I can't stand it" (some of that may be the black and white of my being Borderline).

In my early days with her she drove a green Windstar. The license plate had 7's, 8's, and 9's, but I didn't learn the order. It's easier to check the license plate than to see who is driving. She is on her 2nd car since that, and I don't know what kind of car it is. I wish I did, because then I could check for the car in the parking lot as well as the lights in the office.

She wasn't comfortable with my dependency, so from fairly early on she discouraged me from calling or scheduling extra appointments. There were some exceptions - at the end I could call if I needed to be admitted to the hospital (but I've gotten the impression that this probably isn't the way to go). I talked about my dependency during sessions a lot. So I don't really know the best way to handle it. I'm sure she'll be glad to talk about what the guidelines should be. I really think that it is different for each therapist.

My kids are 20, 18, 15. Only one left in high school! Your vacation sounds like fun. I hope you can immerse yourself in your family and in nature.

I worry about my mental state hurting my kids, too. They get whatever sanity I might have, the rest of the world can wait. I figure that if I obsess over it that I will have less sanity for them. I guess it is good incentive to get better.

All we can do is the best that we can do.

Have a good trip!

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall

Posted by stebby on August 16, 2003, at 18:25:32

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 15:30:49

Wow, you sound like me! ie driving past the office, fantasizing about her wanting to talk...why does this happen? Actually, I have so much anger towards her now that I always fantasize about what I will say to her when I inevitably run into her one day. I was thinking of screaming "Ilove you" to really scare her and then flipping her the bird. But I know me, and most likely I will just drop my head and keep walking. I wonder if she has any idea how much pain she has caused, or I guess how much pain I have caused myself over this. I just hope my therapy doesn't end like this again. I notice that I think about my old therapist a lot more when my new therpist is on vacation or away. I'm so glad my new therapist lives out of town and I don't know what kind of car she drives. I NEVER want to know this. I like not having any incentive to look for her. She's only in town twice per week...that is so much better. God forbid I have two look for two types of cars. Anyway, I've enjoyed chatting with you...be back on Tuesday.
stebby

 

Re: Why bother with therapy?

Posted by allisonf on August 16, 2003, at 22:43:41

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 16, 2003, at 18:25:32

Just wanted to join in, sorry I'm late. I too am obsessed with my therapist--she's my first and only. So far. I can't imagine ever leaving her, but from what I've been reading here, I'm thinking that consulting with a psychodyamic therapist might be worthwhile. My therp is CBT, but she did a lot of psychodynamic training (I think she went to one of those institutes) so at the very least, I'm going to quiz her about her experience and ask how a psychoanalyst would handle this transference.

My husband is always asking why I bother with therapy when I sometimes end up worse at the end of the session than when I went in (then again, he is definitely a little jealous of my therapist). I am like you stebby, I have a hard time accepting that the therapeutic relationship has to stay in the office...even tho I completely understand it on an intellectual level. I do all the things all of you have said you do (first she had her dad's old Volvo, now a Suburu) and it is a strange comfort to me that I am not alone in doing them.

I'm still waiting to see if someone posts a good "resolution of my transference" story in one of these threads.

I have kids too--2 girls, ages 3 and 5. I am so so worried about the effect of my ups and downs and my pill taking and my therapy obsession, etc. has on them. I try not to read too much about it, but I was wondering if you all have thoughts on this or ways that you have handled it, what you say to them, etc.

Hope you had a good camping trip, s!

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby

Posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 23:23:56

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 16, 2003, at 18:25:32

I think that the therapists have to share some of the blame for the pain. It is their job to resolve it. If the pain isn't resolving then I think that they haven't done their job.

I know that I couldn't talk with my old therapist about what happened. I could smile and say "Hi". I might be able to say "I'm doing OK. Dr. X is working out fine. How are you?" But that would be it. She wouldn't push.

I'm missing my old therapist's comfort while the new guy is on vacation. But no way do I want to see her face to face. I thought about listening to her answering machine today.

Sigh.

Hope you are enjoying the stars.

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf

Posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 0:45:55

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy?, posted by allisonf on August 16, 2003, at 22:43:41

Chuckle. That was what my husband said the other day too!!!! That I'm often in worse shape when I leave therapy than when I go in. And when is he going to fix me already!

I have no real way of explaining that the reason is that in therapy I access the feelings I so often keep blocked, and so naturally I'm more unstable after. Now whether or not that's a good thing I don't know.

I know what car my therapist drives but for a slightly different reason. I've run into him a couple of times outside therapy because we live really close to one another. And no, I didn't find that out on purpose. I had hoped he lived way across town and found out differently accidentally. When I found out, I asked what would happen if I accidentally backed my car into his or something. Would he still be my therapist? And he said, yes, so long as I have insurance. lol. I have this thing where I don't want to see or talk to him *at all* outside the therapy room. So when I saw him in the stores I ran off before he could see me. Once I admitted it to him, once I didn't bother. But the second time there were only a few cars in the parking lot, and he had told me generally what sort of car he drove and there was only one. So I made a note of the license plate. Now whenever I go to a local store, I check all similar cars to make sure it isn't his. I haven't seen his yet, but if I do, I'll skip going to the store. Last thing I want is to run across him at the drugstore with heaven only knows what in his basket, and be confronted with heaven only knows what about the real person. Yech. Or, even more awkward, running into him with his family or when I have mine. "Son, this is my therapist." I don't think so.

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall

Posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 0:47:05

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 23:23:56

To borrow from another thread, Don't pick up that phone! Or at least not until your new therapist comes back in town to process whatever emotions it brings up.

But I know I don't have to tell you that. :)

 

Re: Thanks. I needed that. (nm) » Dinah

Posted by fallsfall on August 17, 2003, at 6:21:34

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 0:47:05

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » Dinah

Posted by allisonf on August 18, 2003, at 21:35:44

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf, posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 0:45:55

It's funny b/c it seems like most of us are wanting to find out all this info about our therapists (ie. cars, etc.) so that we can find ways to run into them, but you use the information to make sure you do *not* run into yours! I can definitely see how some situations (like the drug store) could be incredibly awkward. I can honestly say that I really don't want to know what kind of birth control my therapist is using!

Did your therapist ever ask you about those times when you saw him and ran off or didn't he know you were there? Once I ran into my therapist right before session getting coffee at Starbucks. It was the most uncomfortable thing. I ran over to the milk area before she did b/c I didn't want her to see me using half&half (she is so thin, I'm sure she uses skim), then we took the elevator together and it was just so weird making small talk. I admire you for trying to avoid those situations.

I was thinking of you today when I drove thru my therapist's town (for another reason). If she lived close to me, I would just be constantly looking for her! How do you do it? BTW, that's so funny what he said about the insurance! lol

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf

Posted by Dinah on August 19, 2003, at 0:03:16

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » Dinah, posted by allisonf on August 18, 2003, at 21:35:44

He can be funny, especially when I come up with some of my harebrained questions. :) His flexibility of thought is what makes him a good therapist for me.

I've only run into him twice, although I have a constant subliminal sort of radar going. It was at the book store the night after my psych testing. I could swear I heard his laugh, thought I was being paranoid because I had an armful of psych books about testing (I didn't cheat, it was after), and peeked. Sure enough, it was him. I dumped the books on whatever aisle I was on and ran like a startled hare out of that store. That time I discussed it with him, because I was afraid he had seen me. I 'fessed up about the books, too.

We had already discussed that I didn't like seeing him outside of the therapy room, not even in the waiting room. I was rather blunt about it once, so he quit escorting me out. He does have to escort me in, but he doesn't make small talk. I just don't think of him as therapist-him outside of the therapy room. He's this almost-stranger who's seen me emotionally naked more times than I can count while he's always been emotionally clothed. It's awkward.

I got pretty upset when I found out I could easily walk to his house on an evening stroll. I quizzed him about the local groceries and such. We do go to the same restaurants apparently, but not yet at the same time. And we use the same drugstore. But by the time I found out, he had already lived there for a year, and he quite rightly pointed out that if it hadn't been a problem in all that time, it probably wouldn't be.

So when I saw him at the drugstore I ducked down a side aisle, kept tabs on where he was, dropped off my prescription, and made my escape. I don't think he saw me, and it didn't seem important enough to mention. He knows I hate to see him already. I saw him walking in his building Friday. I was a bit ahead of him, ducked into an elevator, and prayed it would take off before he came in. He must have slowed down, because it did. Once I slowed down, but not enough, and had to ride up the elevator while he was wolfing down a candy bar for lunch.

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf

Posted by stebby on August 19, 2003, at 14:17:12

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy?, posted by allisonf on August 16, 2003, at 22:43:41

Hi Allison, Reading one of your old posts is the reason I first decided to post on this board...it sounded so much like me...it hadn't occured to me that there might actually be other people out there going through similar situations. I too am waiting for the thread that describes how the transference works itself out. I have to say that this time around I am a little more accepting of it versus my firsttransferences experience with a therapist when the feelings nearly blind sided me. At least now I can say, ok, this is just transference and there is a reason its happening. (These rational thoughts are on my more "stable" days.) Other days I feel so desperate to escape it since I know the longing will never be reciprocated. Of course, there is always the secret hope that it somehow my feelings will be reciprocated...and then another realization that it won't happen...its a viscious cycle!

How long have you been in therapy and why did you go into it? Have you let your therapist in on the extent of your transference feelings?

Regarding what to do so you don't affect the kids is a question I often ponder. I am just trying to connect with them as much as I can. I finally entered therapy when my little one asked me if I ever smiled anymore. That was heartbreaking! I am so afraid they will end up like me. They definitely force me to keep it together. I guess we can only do the best we can do.

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall

Posted by stebby on August 19, 2003, at 14:27:55

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 23:23:56

Camping was a very good distraction. I think being away gets my mind off of therapist obsessions. In fact part of me doesn't want to go back to therapy because it just re-intensifies the feelings. I always wonder what would have happened if I never entered therapy and just took AD's. all of this would have never happened and my depression would have probably improved anyway. Will I somehow be better in the long run? Does anyone have an answer? Should I stop going...maybe I'm strong enough to make the break.

How are you anyway?

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » Dinah

Posted by allisonf on August 19, 2003, at 16:01:02

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf, posted by Dinah on August 19, 2003, at 0:03:16

I guess he's probably right that if you haven't run into him that often after a year of living so close, it isn't likely to happen very frequently. I can't imagine how weird it would be to run into my therp while taking an evening stroll! And I can totally see about the psych testing books experience (did he do your testing?) It would seem like your hands were caught in the cookie jar even tho they really weren't.

I just have to tell you I thought it was the funniest image when you described your therp wolfing down a candy bar while in the elevator with you! ROFL!

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby

Posted by allisonf on August 19, 2003, at 16:47:53

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf, posted by stebby on August 19, 2003, at 14:17:12

Glad you had a good trip camping! A little time with nature is always a good thing.

I actually think that's sort of cool that your transference replicated itself so quickly with your new therapist (like fallsfall). Like you said, it almost normalizes the feelings by showing that they are not as much love for your therapist as a reflection of old schemas and issues. But knowing that and feeling it are two separate things, I know! Intellectually, I know the bulk of it doesn't have to do with her, but then when I see her and she looks so pretty and kind, I can't help feeling love for her. So is it about the therapist's qualities at all? Do you find that your new transference follows the same exact pattern as the old?

I've been in therapy for 2 years now, but was in therapy 2-3 years with the same therapist back in 1993-1995,96. I never had any of these transference type feelings for her the first time around. But 2 years ago when I came to her, I was diagnosed with cyclothymia, which then became bp II (I really think I have bp nos). I think that my increased vulnerability this time around contributed to the dev't of my transference feelings. Also, my hypomania plays a part in it--I am much more obsessed with her when I am hypomanic or when I am trying to push myself up out of a depressed state.

I have shared with her my feelings--the nitty, gritty sexual fantasies, the maternal bit, the desire to be sisters, the feeling that I know we would be friends but for this therapy thing (we really do have a lot in common, I know I'm not imagining that!). She is...I don't know. At first she actually told me that she thought we shouldn't talk about it b/c it was feeding my hypomania. That set off alarm bells. But then when she saw I was having such a hard time, she did get into it--but like a true cognitive behavioralist--she reality tested, talked about childhood schemas, etc. She says the obssesive part will go away when we find the right meds. But here all of you are going thru it and it's not all about the meds. Even tho our work on it hasn't been perfect, I still have faith that she can help me. She has been great about just accepting what I say and trying not to let her stuff get into it.

How has your husband been handling it? Have you told him everything? Have you told your new therapist everything you are feeling too?

Thanks for your thoughts on the kids. You said you have boys, 4 and 7, right? It's so hard keeping it together and meeting all of their needs when I am so emotionally taxed. But they are definitely an incentive to recover.

Keep me posted.

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf

Posted by stebby on August 19, 2003, at 20:03:55

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by allisonf on August 19, 2003, at 16:47:53

It sounds like your therapist is handling your situation well. It must have been pretty difficult to reveal all of those feelings. I found dicussing the sexual feelings pretty much mortifying. Its interesting that she thinks your obsessions are related to the hypomania. I did not realize that was part of hypomania. I wonder if that's why my pdoc suggested that I might have bipolar disorder. I just have never seen myself as hypomanic before. It makes sense that your transference feelings started when you were very vulnerable. That seems to hold true for me as well.

It is interesting how the transference feelings started with my second therapist (like fallsfall)relatively soon after I began with her. However, I was still devastated by the loss of my old therpist. The feelings and fantasies I have about her are very similar even though they are two very different people. My new therapist is a lot smarter. I found my old therapist more attractive and warm and fuzzy, but her inexperience really showed. I feel like my new therapist is really in control of the situation or at least she fakes it well. Still, a lot of what I think about is maternal stuff, being sisters, best friends, being part of her family, getting invited over for holidays, you know! I'm like you in that intellectually I really know that its not reality, but you can't intellectualize the feelings

My husband does not know about my transference with my new therapist. I eventually filled him in on what happened with my old therapist (neglecting the sexual feelings part), and he was pretty understanding. I find it very difficult to discuss this with him as he was pretty upset just about the prospect of me going on AD's. Then he found out that I was cutting and had this obsession with my last therapist. Its been a lot for him to take in. Does your husband know about your transference? How is he handling it?

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby

Posted by fallsfall on August 19, 2003, at 23:28:48

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 19, 2003, at 14:27:55

My understanding is that Meds help and Therapy helps, but that both Meds and Therapy helps more. I also heard that Therapy improvements last longer (makes sense - it is like you learn something, so you would keep that for a while. Once the meds are gone, they are gone).

I know that I'm not strong enough to make the break! I don't know how you tell??

My transferences with the first therapist and with the second were almost identical. I was completely shocked at how similar they were and how quickly it happened.

My therapist is home from vacation. I missed him. I saw him today, and am feeling better now.

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall

Posted by stebby on August 20, 2003, at 19:23:04

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by fallsfall on August 19, 2003, at 23:28:48

Today I'm defintely on a "I should leave therapy" kick. I'll keep the AD's, but I'm not really clear on what exactly the therapy is doing for me, other than causing me to obsess about myself and my therapist. Is this somehow healthy? Is this somehow insightful and goin g to help me with relationships. I think its making my relationship with my husband worse because I'd much rather think about her than him. He discussed his absolute frustration with me today and said we can't go on like this. He's right! Does anyone have an explanation?

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby

Posted by fallsfall on August 20, 2003, at 19:49:07

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 20, 2003, at 19:23:04

When I changed from my old therapist to my new one, I felt immediately better - not cured, but much less anxious. I know that I still have issues to work on (including my dependency - like I had on her) so I couldn't just quit. I did find it helpful to interview therapists - the process of talking about what was going on and getting different people's feedback was really valuable.

Your obsession with your therapist probably demonstrates one of your issues. In my case I thought my therapist was angry because I did something wrong - this parallels how I would feel with my dad. There is probably a connection with your past. My Psychodynamic therapist is so much better with this stuff than my CBT therapist was.

 

Is obsession with a therapist really transference?

Posted by jane d on August 20, 2003, at 22:12:28

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 16, 2003, at 13:47:29

> It does sound like we have a very similar situation. Do you still think about your old therapist much? Its been a year since we terminated, and I still look for her car where ever I go. She drives a blue Audi. Do you know how many blue Audi's there are on the road? 1,000,000's! I've almost gotten in car accidents trying to figure out if it was her driving by. Its so crazy, I wish I could make it go away.
>

I think it makes sense to spend most of your time thinking about a person and a process that offers, basically, to save your life. That's a real relationship in it's own right - I'm not sure whether it's a good or a bad one - but it doesn't need to depend on your previous relationships.

Jane, who knows that she doesn't understand transference

 

Re: Is obsession with a therapist really transference? » jane d

Posted by Dinah on August 21, 2003, at 20:33:11

In reply to Is obsession with a therapist really transference?, posted by jane d on August 20, 2003, at 22:12:28

Absolutely, the feelings you have for your therapist can be based on that relationship alone, without any baggage from the past. (Or at least not without any more baggage than we normally carry around).

But I guess the difference is the intensity of the feelings we have for our therapists balanced with how little we really know them. I mean we don't really know them more than we do any other service providers in our lives but I don't think most people get as emotionally attached to their, oh.. darn. Can't think of an example.

So I think of transference as more attachment than can really be considered reasonable based on the level of reciprocal intimacy in the relationship.

Of course, the baggage from our past affects every relationship in our life. You know how I'm always afraid I've made my friends mad? I'm always afraid I've made my therapist mad too. I'm always afraid I've made everyone I care about mad. So ideally we could work on that in the therapeutic relationship more easily than other relationships. Ideally anyway......

 

Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby

Posted by allisonf on August 22, 2003, at 9:15:19

In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf, posted by stebby on August 19, 2003, at 20:03:55

I can totally imagine feeling devastated by leaving your old therapist and still having the transference feelings for her. But I'm glad your new therapist is confident that she can handle the transference (and even said she was waiting for it to happen, right?) Did something specific happen in therapy recently that made you want to stop and just take the ADs? (I know...for me, not much has to happen. Once I had heard her spray perfume on herself while I was in the waiting room, then when I walked it, it was lingering in the air. Did she put on the perfume for my benefit? AS IF!)

Or is it related to the issues with your husband? With this...oh, I wish I had something more helpful to say, but I find I am often in the same sticky sort of situation. My husband is definitely jealous of my feelings for my therp, but I think b/c my therp is a woman, he is a little less threatened (tho he knows there is a sexual element, we don't talk about it much). Then again, I also don't think he realizes quite how deep my feelings for her go. He will tease me about it sometimes but then other times, he pressures me towards termination b/c he's afraid it's not helping me to be so obsessed with her. And there are times like you, I agree with him...if I spend a whole week with my head in the clouds over the perfume incident, how can that be helping me? I guess that's what forces me to be really upfront with my therapist about these situations when they happen so at least I can try to learn from them. But then again, just like you said, some of the situations are really too mortifying to disclose. Mostly, I think it's when my husband sees that I'm having such a hard time during an episode of some kind, and he experiences her helping me thru it (tho I know he's jealous that he's not as good at helping me thru it as she is) that he eases up on wanting me to quit. I think he also gets the theoretical concept of transference...but then again, I told him about a dream I had about my therp recently and he freaked. "You're dreaming about your therapist!" I didn't have the heart to tell him that I dream about her quite a bit.

It does seem like your husband has been trying to process a lot at once lately. I know it took my husband a *long* time to accept the use of psych meds to treat my condition (me too). And the cutting too, I know my husband gets really frightened by my suicidal thoughts or anytime I envision hurting myself. I think it is just such a foreign concept for him.

So, I feel for you about this issue and how it affects your marriage. I always end up opting to stick with the therapy (mostly b/c I'm too chicken to leave) but there are times I think I may be worse off for it.

Let us know...


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