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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cubic_me on May 25, 2004, at 10:29:58
I'm sorry for not posting much lately, I've had exams so have been busy and trying to get on with things and not think too much about what's going on inside me. Now exams are over I feel like I'm going to crumple into a little heap on the floor and not be able to get back up again. Is there any way to get through this without either pushing it all back down inside me or giving up completely? It seems like I can't find the middle ground, and I feel like if I let down my guard, even for a little bit, everything will overwhelm me. Being like this hurts so much, but I can't seem to get out of it.
Posted by partlycloudy on May 25, 2004, at 10:55:25
In reply to Things aren't going great, posted by cubic_me on May 25, 2004, at 10:29:58
Posted by partlycloudy on May 25, 2004, at 10:56:35
In reply to Re: Things aren't going great (nm), posted by partlycloudy on May 25, 2004, at 10:55:25
It went into never never land. Do something for yourself as a reward for getting through exams without falling apart!
Posted by B2chica on May 25, 2004, at 11:24:28
In reply to Things aren't going great, posted by cubic_me on May 25, 2004, at 10:29:58
-You have Definately Got to be proud of yourself for even getting through exams!!
YAAAAAA 4 U!
i had to take incompletes this semester i was so messed up. However, it is all too easy to become that little pile of mush on the floor. See if there is something that you can focus on a little, crafts, hobbies, painting, gardening and such. Try something relaxing but productive for yourself. Also, Make sure you are getting some type of outlet for your emotions: counseling, journaling and such.
Please, don't push it all back down. It's taking all i have not to do this. It is SO easy and feels So good to push it back down and become the strong person i thought i used to be...but it's fake. We all need to deal with this stuff (i'm saying this partly to convince myself as well). Sometimes i wonder if there even IS a middle ground. But people tell me there really is. Maybe we can find it together??
You have been a real strength for me and i hope i can help out if even a little.
It's just SO easy to get overwhelmed by the little things, so don't push yourself. Get help with laundry and cleaning, balance work and play. EACH DAY leave plenty of time to yourself to write, draw or just daze and listen to tunes.Best Wishes ((((Cubic)))).
Love B2c.
Posted by Susan J on May 25, 2004, at 12:04:43
In reply to Things aren't going great, posted by cubic_me on May 25, 2004, at 10:29:58
Hey, I don't know if you are like me, but after exams, I ALWAYS got physically sick, like a cold, such a let down after being so hyped up for exams and stuff. And now, I seem to get really depressed right after something rough like that.
But just like what the others said, congrats for getting through exams! Take comfort and satisfaction in the fact you got through that rough period! Totally try to find an outlet through counseling or journaling. I find it helpful to try to ease my way into new routines, because i think that's what throws me the most. I'm so used to doing one thing, I don't quite know what to do with myself afterward.
What types of things do you like to do? Can you add one each day? I like movies, but some people like getting morning coffee and reading the paper. I usually do that type of thing out in public. It's better for me to be around people or I get really depressed. Once you ease yourself into new routines, I think things will feel a little more manageable. Then try to take the strength to face one demon at a time and try not to let it overwhelm you. I'm doing that myself right now. Slower than I want, but making progress, and I know you can, too.
And of course you can always vent, here. Hang in there.
Susan
Posted by cubic_me on May 25, 2004, at 14:43:39
In reply to Re: Things aren't going great » cubic_me, posted by B2chica on May 25, 2004, at 11:24:28
I'm trying to be proud of myself for getting through exams, though results are tomorrow and I'm hoping I got through them ok. I've still got some work to do over the next few weeks but its not as intense as before. I've been doing some retail therapy and bought some sketching pencils so that I can get back into the sketch work I love to do (see http://img24.photobucket.com/albums/v72/feelingfaded/drawing1.jpg for a pic I drew last year).
I'm still going to therapy, but it feels really hard. I half want to say everything and end up a quivering mess, but I'm so used to being in control and being strong that I just can't do that. My boyfriend is usually really supportive, but he's got a load of work on at the moment and it feels like I'm having to mother him all the time and he never takes care of me.
I journal online (http://www.livejournal.com/users/ice_cube/) but I'm not finding writing easy at the moment, either online or in my paper journal. It all seems pointless really, even though its meant to be doing me some good somehow.
Posted by DaisyM on May 26, 2004, at 1:41:43
In reply to Re: Things aren't going great, posted by cubic_me on May 25, 2004, at 14:43:39
My heart goes out to you. I have been a mess for days and then i cycle out again. I think journaling really helped me but it was hard for days to just "let it come." Can you tell your Therapist you are holding back? maybe she can help prime the pump and get it out. My last writing assignment was this:
If I had unlimited time with my Therapist today, what I would tell him is this:
Maybe if you try this it might help you get it into your journal. Just a thought.
You are brave and working so hard. Hang in there.
Daisybtw, I lurk over here so I'm sorry if I'm slow to respond. I've been journaling my own saga on Psychological.
Posted by gardenergirl on May 26, 2004, at 8:39:56
In reply to Re: Things aren't going great » cubic_me, posted by DaisyM on May 26, 2004, at 1:41:43
I am the same way during the end of the semester. Sometimes what is going on in therapy doesn't seem to read the calendar, and realize it's a bad time. It helped me to talk to my T about that. I was really afraid that as I started to work deeper, I would become a quivering mass. I can't afford that right now because I HAVE to get my dissertation done. He commented that it is not always within our control about the pace of therapy. But he seems to be making an extra effort to make sure I am feeling more solid at the end of sessions. He tends to switch to talking about gardnening or something. I don't know if he's just like me and just loves to talk about it, and is losing some of his discipline. Or more likely, he has found something that helps me transition back to the real world a bit easier.
Such a scary dilemma. Do you go for what you can feel is there and risk jumping in over your head and not being able to swim to shore (thanks for the metatphor, Daisy)? Or do you just keep dipping a bit more and more in until you feel safe enough to jump in? There's no easy answer. But talking about this very thing did help me to feel more at ease in therapy. I was really scared of what might come out. So far, it's been okay.
Take care, and congrats on your exams! I know how hard it is to finish when you are feeling low.
gg
Posted by Noa on May 26, 2004, at 8:41:49
In reply to Re: Things aren't going great, posted by cubic_me on May 25, 2004, at 14:43:39
Sorry to hear how hard things are now, CM.
The process of taking exams can be so intense that there has got to be a kind of 'let-down' effect afterward. Maybe if you can plan some time-limited fun stuff to refresh yourself before you move on to the next set of work? But I know personally how hard it can be to keep it limited. Or maybe little 'pockets' of fun built in between the new work you have to do--i.e., so the pacing is less intense?
Good luck, CM--I hope it starts feeling better soon.
Posted by cubic_me on May 26, 2004, at 8:59:59
In reply to Re: Things aren't going great, posted by gardenergirl on May 26, 2004, at 8:39:56
Not fantastic grades, but I passed well enough to get me through to major in psychology next year (during a year's break from the medical course).
My course-mates are going out to celebrate tonigh, but I really don't have the energy to be in the party mood, so I'm going to stay home and curl up with my duvet and some ice-cream in front of the tv ;)
Posted by B2chica on May 26, 2004, at 10:37:41
In reply to I passed my exams!, posted by cubic_me on May 26, 2004, at 8:59:59
Posted by DaisyM on May 26, 2004, at 14:19:41
In reply to I passed my exams!, posted by cubic_me on May 26, 2004, at 8:59:59
Congrats! ENJOY THE MOMENT! I keep telling my son that he has to switch his thinking from making great grades to get into college, to now making grades to GET OUT of college. Takes the pressure off of getting all As.
I think the duvet and ice cream is a lovely way to celebrate. Add sprinkles to make it festive.
Posted by Noa on May 26, 2004, at 15:59:03
In reply to I passed my exams!, posted by cubic_me on May 26, 2004, at 8:59:59
Congratulations!!!
Posted by gardenergirl on May 26, 2004, at 18:14:55
In reply to Re: I passed my exams! » cubic_me, posted by Noa on May 26, 2004, at 15:59:03
Posted by Angela2 on May 26, 2004, at 18:54:35
In reply to I passed my exams!, posted by cubic_me on May 26, 2004, at 8:59:59
Posted by fallsfall on May 27, 2004, at 7:24:12
In reply to I passed my exams!, posted by cubic_me on May 26, 2004, at 8:59:59
What kind of ice cream?? Congratulations!
Posted by cubic_me on May 27, 2004, at 9:09:06
In reply to Re: I passed my exams! » cubic_me, posted by fallsfall on May 27, 2004, at 7:24:12
caramel and chocolate ice-cream with chunks of chocolate in it, there's an ice-cream for every occasion! I love ice-cream almost as much as you!!
Posted by octopusprime on May 27, 2004, at 11:50:16
In reply to Things aren't going great, posted by cubic_me on May 25, 2004, at 10:29:58
i hope you feel better today after your ice cream :)
can you tell me one thing you are going to do for yourself today to make you feel good? and yes the bubble bath counts. :)
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