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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on March 9, 2004, at 14:14:15
I have been in therapy now for eight months - went in initially for anxiety and depression - diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression.
I have made great strides and have been feeling well. I am now down to twice a month therpay which my T calls "maintenance." Then it will be once a month.
He says we have to be very vigilant about signs of "relapse" into my old ways.
I'm wondering if anyone has experienced a relapse (you sufferers of anxiety and depression) and does anyone know how common it is?
And also, what might be some signs? I told my T last week, the first time I hadn't seen him every week for 8 months, that I was a lot more irritable than usual. He says that is a sign of anxiety. I wonder however if it was a sign of my anxiety of not seeing my T and not particularly a sign of my GAD returning. Any thoughts?
Posted by shortelise on March 9, 2004, at 15:16:16
In reply to Maintenance therapy and relapse, posted by Miss Honeychurch on March 9, 2004, at 14:14:15
I expect to experience a lot of anxiety when I cut down on my sessions.
I'd worry if I again started to feel anxious about everything. When I worry about the cats, money, if my husband still loves me, if my friends like me, and if I am ever going to get another consulting job - then I know I'm felling into GAD again.
ShortE
Posted by noa on March 9, 2004, at 18:23:00
In reply to Re: Maintenance therapy and relapse, posted by shortelise on March 9, 2004, at 15:16:16
I've had recurrences, but that has been the pattern for much of my life.
I think it is wise not to rush through the transition. Reducing the frequency and still seeing him can give you the chance to talk about what it feels like and how to manage it. Maybe you'll get to a point later on when it feels right to reduce it further?
Also, if I were going to move toward ending therapy, I'd want to know that I could have the option to come in for a "booster" session once in a while if needed.
Posted by gardenergirl on March 10, 2004, at 0:00:28
In reply to Re: Maintenance therapy and relapse, posted by noa on March 9, 2004, at 18:23:00
Excellent advice from noa. I have had several relapses, but then I'm not sure I ever was significantly better with my depression until recently. It's a combination of the Nardil and the therapy. I did notice that over Christmas break, when I did not see my T for about 3 weeks, I became more depressed. It was hard for me to admit that not seeing him may have contributed to the depression, because otherwise, I was on vacation in Florida for about 3 weeks, and had no other reason I could think of to suddenly relapse. It hurt to admit that I was dependent on therapy and on him for being okay, but I also know that will not always be the case. It's important for me to be dependent on him right now as we are working on some very painful stuff. Once I have worked through that more, I expect I will taper down and eventually end. I will not always have the option of coming back, as I see him at school and I will be finished after next year (yea and sigh). But I know that if I needed to see a T again, I think I would recognize the signs of depression and would feel free to ask him for a referral. (sigh, wish he could always be there if I needed him. Would also love to work there myself when I am done with school, sigh).
So, tapering down, and leaving open the chance for a booster, say in 6-8 weeks sounds like a great idea.
Congrats to you for making it!
gg
Posted by Karen_kay on March 10, 2004, at 7:24:37
In reply to Maintenance therapy and relapse, posted by Miss Honeychurch on March 9, 2004, at 14:14:15
Could it be possible that these are signs of missing your therapist, rather than GAD? I don't know.. I do know that once I'm out of the office, depending on how the session went, I'm either happy for the next week or incredibly crappy. Crappy=irritable. And I think it has to do with anxiety that he's caused me, or that's been brought up during the session.
I don't have an answer to your question, but I do want to say hi to a lovely lady. Do you see one around? (Of course I meant you...)
Posted by cubic_me on March 10, 2004, at 7:31:47
In reply to Why Miss honey.. » Miss Honeychurch, posted by Karen_kay on March 10, 2004, at 7:24:37
Before I started therapy I had many relapses into depression, and I felt worried that I couldn't do anything about it - it felt like I had no control over it. But therapy had made me more positive that even if I relapse again there IS something I can do about it, and I can be well again. Try not to fear relapse, if it happens it happens, but be sure to do something about it (like going back to your T or going on meds), it should make you feel more positive and more in control. _me x
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on March 10, 2004, at 8:23:04
In reply to Re: Maintenance therapy and relapse, posted by cubic_me on March 10, 2004, at 7:31:47
Thanks for the advice, guys. My T has said his door is ALWAYS open to me and I think we'll be on the every 2 week thing for awhile.
Posted by fallsfall on March 10, 2004, at 8:53:33
In reply to Re: Maintenance therapy and relapse, posted by gardenergirl on March 10, 2004, at 0:00:28
>>I will not always have the option of coming back, as I see him at school and I will be finished after next year (yea and sigh). But I know that if I needed to see a T again, I think I would recognize the signs of depression and would feel free to ask him for a referral. (sigh, wish he could always be there if I needed him. Would also love to work there myself when I am done with school, sigh).
GGDo you realize that you had 3 sighs in about 3 sentances in your post? Are you sad, or weary, or hopeless, or resigned, or something else?
(((((GG)))))
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