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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by All Done on January 4, 2004, at 2:09:59
Hi, everyone. I'm new here, but I've been lurking for a couple of months. I think this is a great site and I want to thank you all for your contributions. Reading them has, in part, helped to move my therapy along.
Anyway, I was wondering if any of you have ever suffered a panic attack *because* of therapy. I suffer from depression and occasional panic attacks, but I haven't had one in quite sometime - until the other day. All I could think about was my upcoming therapy session. After six months with this therapist (my first), I've just started discussing my transference issues. I'm not sure if that's why I became so nervous, but I was. Next thing you know, I was more anxious and panicked than I've been in a very long time. Can any of you tell me if you've ever experienced this and why or if it is supposed to be helpful and/or progress?
Thanks,
All DoneP.S. I spent most of my one hour session today talking to my therapist about my feelings for him. At the end, he said he admired my courage in telling him. That felt good. Maybe - just maybe - I'm starting to understand how this all works...
Posted by Elle2021 on January 4, 2004, at 2:39:57
In reply to Panic attacks *because* of therapy?, posted by All Done on January 4, 2004, at 2:09:59
I get what I call "semi-panic attacks" before each session. I get really nervous about what we are going to discuss and wonder if I'm going to say something dumb or nonsensical (I usually do). That or I trip all over my words. But, he is used to it. I think it's pretty normal, or at least I hope so.
Elle
Posted by Still Hurting on January 4, 2004, at 3:10:52
In reply to Panic attacks *because* of therapy?, posted by All Done on January 4, 2004, at 2:09:59
First let me say how privilege you are in expressing your feelings to your therapist without getting booted. When I choose to tell my therapist how I felt about her I had the privilege of being booted from her services with security guards placed to ensure that I never came back.
Recently I realized the power in revealing my feelings for her. Oftentimes I try to pretend as though I don't need anybody. For me to tell her that I needed her was a great breakthrough for me. That should have been commended instead of reprimanded.
But yet, I remember sitting there in the waiting longe waiting for her to come. I would sit there with all kinds of thoughts running through my mind. Thoughts of rejections. Thoughts that I'll bore her to death. Thoughts that if she could be seeing another client, she'll probably rather do that. I would sit there hoping that somehow I could entertain and amuse this therapist so that she didn't look at me as a bore. Because of these thoughts I'd experience anxiety sitting there as I waited for her.
Now, look at your thoughts. See if that is what you are experiencing. Take a journal and write down every one of your thoughts as you wait. Whatever it is that you are thinking about is causing the anxierty. Then counteract those subconscious thoughts with positive thoughts and soon you will see your breakthrough.
For even better therapy, tell your therapist what you are experiencing.
Like me, you probably see your therapist as one to receive acceptance, praise and affirmation from. And the fear of him not seeing you the way you want and need him to see you can bring about the anxiety.
Be encouraged, you are great. And it doesn't take your therapist to tell you that.
Posted by All Done on January 4, 2004, at 3:21:33
In reply to Re: Panic attacks *because* of therapy? » All Done, posted by Elle2021 on January 4, 2004, at 2:39:57
> I get what I call "semi-panic attacks" before each session. I get really nervous about what we are going to discuss and wonder if I'm going to say something dumb or nonsensical (I usually do). That or I trip all over my words. But, he is used to it. I think it's pretty normal, or at least I hope so.
> ElleThanks for the response, Elle. It always helps me to feel like I'm "normal".
Don't worry about sounding dumb or nonsensical. For what it's worth, everything I've read from you on these boards sounds intelligent and makes sense to me.
Posted by All Done on January 4, 2004, at 3:40:25
In reply to Re: Panic attacks *because* of therapy?, posted by Still Hurting on January 4, 2004, at 3:10:52
> First let me say how privilege you are in expressing your feelings to your therapist without getting booted. When I choose to tell my therapist how I felt about her I had the privilege of being booted from her services with security guards placed to ensure that I never came back.
>
> Recently I realized the power in revealing my feelings for her. Oftentimes I try to pretend as though I don't need anybody. For me to tell her that I needed her was a great breakthrough for me. That should have been commended instead of reprimanded.
>
> But yet, I remember sitting there in the waiting longe waiting for her to come. I would sit there with all kinds of thoughts running through my mind. Thoughts of rejections. Thoughts that I'll bore her to death. Thoughts that if she could be seeing another client, she'll probably rather do that. I would sit there hoping that somehow I could entertain and amuse this therapist so that she didn't look at me as a bore. Because of these thoughts I'd experience anxiety sitting there as I waited for her.
>
> Now, look at your thoughts. See if that is what you are experiencing. Take a journal and write down every one of your thoughts as you wait. Whatever it is that you are thinking about is causing the anxierty. Then counteract those subconscious thoughts with positive thoughts and soon you will see your breakthrough.
>
> For even better therapy, tell your therapist what you are experiencing.
>
> Like me, you probably see your therapist as one to receive acceptance, praise and affirmation from. And the fear of him not seeing you the way you want and need him to see you can bring about the anxiety.
>
> Be encouraged, you are great. And it doesn't take your therapist to tell you that.I'm so sorry about what you've gone through. I truly believe that time (at least in some ways) heals all wounds. Hopefully, that will be true for you, as well. I also hope you have found or will find a new therapist to help you work through all of this because you were very brave and it's disappointing that you didn't have a therapist who could deal with transference issues.
From what I've read here, it sounds like my therapist is doing a pretty good job and I'm really thankful for that. I did tell him that I was feeling very anxious the past few days and tried to explain why, but I just couldn't find the words. I did say I was worried about what he thought of me. Do I bore him to tears? He said no. Does he think I'm stupid? He said no. But he wanted to know if I wondered what the flip side of those thoughts were (i.e. does he admire me?). I told him I would have to think about that - the words just weren't coming out.
I appreciate you giving me the idea to write my thoughts down in my journal. I do keep a journal, but don't usually write in it "real time", so to speak. I feel like I'm just learning to recognize any of my feelings for what they truly are. You mentioned counteracting the thoughts that are causing my anxiety with positive thoughts, but I'm not sure how to do that. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks, again, for your post.
Take care,
All Done
Posted by Elle2021 on January 4, 2004, at 3:54:38
In reply to Re: Panic attacks *because* of therapy? » Elle2021, posted by All Done on January 4, 2004, at 3:21:33
> Don't worry about sounding dumb or nonsensical. For what it's worth, everything I've read from you on these boards sounds intelligent and makes sense to me.
Thanks!
Elle
Posted by Still Hurting on January 4, 2004, at 21:02:27
In reply to Re: Panic attacks *because* of therapy? » Still Hurting, posted by All Done on January 4, 2004, at 3:40:25
To counteract thoughts that bring about anxiety what you do is recognize the anxious thought but then tell yourself the complete opposite.
For example if a thought tells you that you are stupid, then reverse it with "I am smart".
If a thought tells you that no one loves you, counteract the thought with "I am pleasing and lovable". If a thought tells you that you will fail, tell yourself "Everything I touch turns to gold". Replace past belief systems of yourself with a positive new one.
I wish you well. It takes a lot of work. It even takes listening to your subconscience. Train yourself daily to defeat your past thought patterns with a great new one. One that will bring you peace and life.
Posted by DaisyM on January 5, 2004, at 1:08:10
In reply to Panic attacks *because* of therapy?, posted by All Done on January 4, 2004, at 2:09:59
I've never had a full on panic attack but I've had severe anxiety -- the kind that sits on your chest and you can feel it in your jaw and behind your knees -- about sessions. Usually this happens when I'm unsure about "what's next" or I want to talk about something really hard. I'm pretty new to therapy too -- I started in late May last year.
I will usually tell my therapist when I'm feeling this way and we will try deep breathing and easy subjects for a little while. Sometimes he tries to get me to really "sink" into the feeling to try to figure out where it is really coming from. I haven't been too successful at this - I get overwhelmed and feel like I'm drowning.
Then it passes. Hang in there. You'll figure out what works for you.
Posted by All Done on January 6, 2004, at 23:22:36
In reply to Re: Panic attacks *because* of therapy? » All Done, posted by DaisyM on January 5, 2004, at 1:08:10
> I've never had a full on panic attack but I've had severe anxiety -- the kind that sits on your chest and you can feel it in your jaw and behind your knees -- about sessions. Usually this happens when I'm unsure about "what's next" or I want to talk about something really hard. I'm pretty new to therapy too -- I started in late May last year.
>> I totally get what you're saying about being unsure about what's next. I think that could be the main problem I'm having. I'm typically follow the rules or plan because I don't want to do something that could be perceived as "wrong". I guess since this is *my* therapy and only mine, how could it be wrong? It shouldn't be like anyone else's, I suppose.
Thanks for the response. I really appreciate it!
Posted by DaisyM on January 7, 2004, at 13:22:06
In reply to Re: Panic attacks *because* of therapy? » DaisyM, posted by All Done on January 6, 2004, at 23:22:36
<<<I guess since this is *my* therapy and only mine, how could it be wrong? It shouldn't be like anyone else's, I suppose.
>>>If you've already figured this out, you are WAY ahead of the game! When my Therapist said something about *your* therapy, I was floored. Up until that point I had thought of it as "therapy" as in one-size fits all.
I'd also like to point out that some anxiety is good. It means your headed in the right direction. *smile*
Posted by All Done on January 7, 2004, at 13:39:02
In reply to Re: Panic attacks *because* of therapy? » All Done, posted by DaisyM on January 7, 2004, at 13:22:06
> I'd also like to point out that some anxiety is good. It means your headed in the right direction. *smile*
>I absolutely agree, but YUCK!!! : )
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