Hazelgirl,

I'm sorry you feel so bad today! I have had reactions like that too. I will seem totally OK and calm and handling things. Then later, I fall apart! It's like a delayed reaction. But it seems to come out of nowhere! One minute I think I am doing well, and then all of a sudden WHAM! I am not well at all!! It leaves me thinking, "What the ?" I call it "Therapy Fallout."

Do you have a habit of being really hard on yourself and forcing yourself to handle difficult situations as long as you possibley can in an effort to be "strong?" If so, you end up stuffing alot of uncomfortable feelings and stresses so well that you don't even know they are building up inside you until they come exploding out! Then it leaves you emotionally unraveled and physically exhausted!

In the short term, I would encourage you to do alot of self-soothing and self-care right now. Give your mind and body a rest. Let yourself recuperate.

In the long term, I would suggest paying close attention to how you feel from moment to moment. If you detect feelings of sadness, stress, anger, frustration, etc., try to acknowledge it and let yourself feel it, rather than stuffing it. If you can do something to change what is bothering you, do that. If not, refocus your mind on something that's not painful.

Also, try not to ruminate. When something bugs you really bad or hurts too much. jot down a short note about what it is, so you can take it to your next session and discuss it with your t. Then do your best to "put it away" until then.

"Easier said than done," I know! I'm just repeating what I'm working on myself. I know it is very hard to do!!