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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by maggie1970 on June 21, 2005, at 12:15:41
I haven't been honest with my new counselor, I've been cutting and haven't been telling her how down I've been. My fiance told me if I tell her, she will send me in for self-injurious, suicidal behavior. Even though it's not because I want to committ suicide? It's, to me at least, very different, and I would cut somewhere else if I did. I would very much like to be honest so that I could work on changing my coping mechanisms. It's often when I see my family that I feel that low, so I decided no more seeing the family until I am stronger. But I feel like I need to be honest with a counselor to really work. Does anyone know, do they committ you for cutting?
Posted by Dinah on June 21, 2005, at 12:24:07
In reply to cutting - does this mean they pink slip you?, posted by maggie1970 on June 21, 2005, at 12:15:41
I don't think anyone is committed for self injury unless it is serious. Do you cause yourself serious injury when you cut? If you don't, and if you're careful, they won't commit you.
The prevalence of cutting is recognized more and more. Many people on this board do it or have done it (myself included).
Therapists do vary a bit in how comfortable they are in dealing with clients who self injure. But it's probably best for you to have a counselor who feels comfortable talking about it.
Are you familiar with this site on self injury? I found it very useful.
http://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/injury.html
I urge you to be honest with your counselor. It's not as uncommon as you might think, and our boyfriends or spouses are notorious for not taking it at all well (understandably since they love us).
I think it's great that you know what triggers you and are looking to reduce triggers. I also think it's great that you want to tell your counselor so that you can work together to find healthier coping mechanisms.
Posted by rubenstein on June 21, 2005, at 16:38:38
In reply to No, they don't. (Trigger warning) » maggie1970, posted by Dinah on June 21, 2005, at 12:24:07
Dinah is right, they won't commit you for cutting. I have been working through this problem for a year and a half now with my therapist, and gradually things are getting better. It is important to be honest with your counselor and if this one can't handle that issue, find one that does, for there are lots of people out there who are knowledgeable on the subject and willing to help. There are also alot of books on the subject that might help you find a way to being up the topic with your therapist. Good luck and do take care of yourself
rubenstein
Posted by spalding on June 22, 2005, at 16:24:45
In reply to Re: No, they don't. (Trigger warning), posted by rubenstein on June 21, 2005, at 16:38:38
Dear Maggie:
Oh my dear, I'm right where you are and can identify with what you say about coping mechanisms.
But just to backup the others...no, they won't pink slip you. (That's a great phrase.)
Don't know if you want pieces of my story, but here goes...I have a deal to notify both my T and my pdoc when it happens...I thought that would be so difficult, but it's really not. They react with such caring, it makes me feel safe. Could never tell my husband about it and hide it well from him, but by telling the docs I get what I'm ultimately looking for.
All my best to you, and yes, please stay safe. I understand what you're going through.
S.
Posted by maggie1970 on June 23, 2005, at 12:41:34
In reply to Re: No, they don't. (Trigger warning), posted by spalding on June 22, 2005, at 16:24:45
Thank you all for sharing with me. So much. I feel a bit lost because when I was feeling very horrible, I called my counselor and left her my new number and she never called back. So I called again and cancelled my meeting with her today, because I want someone who will care, like your counselor who reacts with caring. She did call back after I cancelled and told me she didn't call back because she erased the message befreo taking down the number because she thought it was the number she had. I believe her, but feel she should have taken it down, and more than that, at our last session, she was yawning, ended early, and asked if I wanted to meet in two weeks, not one. All in all, I left the session feeling that she hadn't been listening and wanted to hurry through, and felt like I needed to be more interesting next time. She also says "ahuh" before I'm finished my sentences, which I understand she's trying to sound as though she's really listening, but it's too fast, so doesn't seem genuine. I don't know if I'm giving in too easy. I'm not sure if I would feel that she would genuinely care though. I almost feel like I am a failure if I give in too fast on her, like I failed another one. Does anyone else ever feel that way? I feel like finding a counselor is like finding a best friend or SO. It must be genuine. Or am I living in a fantasy? Anyway, thank you all for writing and sharing. This has been one of the toughest weeks of my life. I've never felt so dark.
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