Does anybody else have trouble pinpointing what they're feeling?

I feel kind of icky at the moment. Am I cold? Am I nauseous? Am I horny? Am I hungry? Honestly, it could be any or all of the above. I can't tell. I just know I feel icky, and "off" somehow.

I worked for years in therapy to figure out how to determine what I'm feeling at any given time, and I still don't have names for most of it. Normal people know when they're angry and why, for example. I rarely do. If you asked me to list emotions, I could give you about 4 basic ones. I'm staggered by the list for mood smileys here, for example. They're so ... distinct. I can't do distinct. I'm lucky just to know whether I feel good or bad.

The corollary, I guess, is that I don't usually know how I come across. People will ask me why I'm ticked off when I didn't realize I was and didn't think I treated them like I was. T told me the other day that when she asks me a question, I "retreat." I was floored! As far as I knew, I was answering her questions as best I could. I don't purposely hide from her -- I think she just doesn't necessarily ask the right questions. (It's an ongoing problem and I'm working up the guts to tell her we just aren't a good match. If your T doesn't get you, you're in pretty sad shape!)

Anyway, I am just wondering if this is common among survivors. It always helps me if I can feel like a bit less of a freak.

Candy