![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gardenergirl on March 19, 2004, at 11:56:03
Just had to post this. I realized when I got back to the office that I was singing and I never cried during the session. We did talk about narcissistic insults and my sensitivity, but I did not cry!
I came back from DC in a really good mood, but really exhausted. It was such a supportive, exciting, stimulating experience with a wonderful group of people. I can't help but be in a good mood.
Now I wonder...was he giving me a break and letting me enjoy my confidence and good mood? Or am I finally getting to the bottom of the well of tears? (I realize it WILL refill from time to time...)
Take care. I wish this feeling for everyone!
gg
Posted by Dinah on March 19, 2004, at 11:58:34
In reply to First session when I did not cry!, posted by gardenergirl on March 19, 2004, at 11:56:03
And it doesn't sound like it was from a dull session, either. :)
Long may your mood stay with you, GG. You deserve it.
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on March 19, 2004, at 13:24:02
In reply to First session when I did not cry!, posted by gardenergirl on March 19, 2004, at 11:56:03
Gosh, the grass is always greener. I always lament the fact that I NEVER cry in therapy!
So glad you're feeling great!
Posted by DaisyM on March 19, 2004, at 14:10:21
In reply to Re: First session when I did not cry! » gardenergirl, posted by Miss Honeychurch on March 19, 2004, at 13:24:02
I'm with Miss HC...I always think "if I could just cry it all out" ---
I'm glad you are feeling great and your session went well. DC is one of my favorite places, especially the new Roosevelt Memorial. The best therapy in the world is getting out there, isn't it?!We have missed you here, however...
Posted by All Done on March 19, 2004, at 15:06:59
In reply to First session when I did not cry!, posted by gardenergirl on March 19, 2004, at 11:56:03
Good for you, gg! And I'm glad you had such a good experience in DC. You've been working hard and you deserve all the good feelings.
Nice to see you peeking in and I'm looking forward to your return!
Take care,
All Done
Posted by fallsfall on March 19, 2004, at 15:34:57
In reply to First session when I did not cry!, posted by gardenergirl on March 19, 2004, at 11:56:03
Enjoy the feeling! I hope that it can last for a while for you.
Journal a lot during this time, so if things do get tougher again, you can look back and see that it IS possible for you to feel better.
I hope this is a turning point for you!
Posted by Raindancer on March 19, 2004, at 21:03:50
In reply to First session when I did not cry!, posted by gardenergirl on March 19, 2004, at 11:56:03
Hi gg. So glad things are good. Looking forward to your return.
Posted by Speaker on March 20, 2004, at 11:20:52
In reply to Re: First session when I did not cry! » gardenergirl, posted by Raindancer on March 19, 2004, at 21:03:50
Would you mind sharing how your T. responds to you when you cry? I always wish my T would at least reach out his hand or something but I just feel observed...that is very uncomfortable but may just be his only role! Just curious.
So glad you had a great time...you were in my prayers!
Posted by Poet on March 20, 2004, at 11:32:26
In reply to First session when I did not cry!, posted by gardenergirl on March 19, 2004, at 11:56:03
Hi GG,
I think you are getting to the bottom of that well of tears. I'd so glad you feel good and confident. I hope the feeling lasts and lasts.
Poet
Posted by EmmyS on March 20, 2004, at 11:48:24
In reply to Welcome Back...I have a ?, posted by Speaker on March 20, 2004, at 11:20:52
On the rare occasion that I cry, my T just sits there looking sad. I look around the room for where-in-blazes the last patient hid the dang kleenex box. Eventually he figures out my complicated body language (tears pouring, snot dripping, craning my neck around room,...duh!) and he kicks a tissue box my way. Touching my hand? Ha! He wouldn't touch me with a 10 foot pole. (but I still love the big lug...we just need our boundaries)
Emmy
Posted by Dinah on March 20, 2004, at 14:49:02
In reply to Re: Welcome Back...I have a ?, posted by EmmyS on March 20, 2004, at 11:48:24
That's funny, Emmy.
My therapist has readily available kleenex near both the sofa and the chair. I don't think he has a preference where to sit. I switched to the sofa because he kept falling asleep when he sat there.
I don't think he ever ever changes expression when I cry. Except to be mildly annoyed that I don't wipe the tears away. I only reach for the kleenex if my nose starts to run. There is something so very liberating about just letting the tears run and not wiping them away.
Posted by gardenergirl on March 20, 2004, at 16:55:15
In reply to Chuckle » EmmyS, posted by Dinah on March 20, 2004, at 14:49:02
Hey folks,
It's good to be back. DC was a blast, but work, work, work, the entire time. I only had two hours free, but my friend and I talked organization business (we are on the board of a student org.) the entire time. Didn't get to see any sights except the inside of the House side of Capitol hill. But it was an amazing experience all the same.Anyway, thanks for all the good thoughts. I think in part, I am doing better because of this trip. Something like this in the past (imagine lobbying Congress for the first time!!!) likely would be so anxiety provoking that I would develop or invent a migraine to skip out on a day. But I didn't. I was even so confident that I introduced myself to James Carville (as if he cared, but I got a pic.) and to the president of the national organization. I was feeling BOLD! Not anxious. One of the senior people in the delegation, who I adore and consider to be a mentor in terms of advocacy said I was confident because "we've got your back." I don't think he realized how profound that was to me. My parents never had my back when I was anxious about anything. I always had to go it alone. Or even take care of their emotions. What a wonderful working through experience this was. Between this experience and my T's being so great, I think I am finally making some real strides. And it feels GOOD! Again, I wish this feeling for all.
About the Kleenex. The first session, when I started to cry and felt embarrassed, he said, "anytime you are in a room with this many Kleenex boxes, you should know it is okay to cry." Since then, I have never had to go through contortions (LOL, Emmy) or request Kleenex. He sometimes responds with empathy, but usually does not respond. I just *know* that it is safe for me to cry.
Take care and thanks for all of the good thoughts!
gg
Posted by lonelygirl on March 21, 2004, at 12:59:16
In reply to Re: Welcome Back...I have a ?, posted by EmmyS on March 20, 2004, at 11:48:24
Aww... I always thought that it was de rigueur to hand over the box of tissues when someone starts crying. I have cried in the offices of more people than I'd like to admit, and even if the box is as close to me as it is to them, they always pick it up and hold it out to me.
BUT, if it makes you feel any better, my current psychologist does not. Of course, when I "cry," I am not sobbing or anything (at least not when I am there in his office), but sometimes I get a few tears dripping down my face, which I usually try to wipe off with my hand. So I thought, maybe he knows that I am embarrassed to be crying, and is therefore not going to acknowledge the fact that I am crying... Ha ha. That is the kind of wishful thinking I have. It's because he doesn't care. And mine would probably not touch me with a 10-foot pole, either (except, one time, he looked like he was starting to reach over, but then he stopped himself -- but maybe that was just my imagination again).
Posted by EmmyS on March 21, 2004, at 17:32:31
In reply to Re: Welcome Back...I have a ? » EmmyS, posted by lonelygirl on March 21, 2004, at 12:59:16
Ya know, I actually attended an undergrad psych class back in the 70's and the prof told us NOT to ever give a client a tissue because it is, in fact, telling them to stop crying, to stop emoting, etc. What a bunch of hogwash.
Now, when I cry, it is 1/4 tears and 3/4 ...well...nasal matter. So, I seriously need tissue! Thank you for caring.
Emmy
Posted by terrics on March 22, 2004, at 8:03:04
In reply to good to be back, posted by gardenergirl on March 20, 2004, at 16:55:15
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Psychology | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.