Quote:
Originally Posted by zoiecat
I struggle tremendously with naming my feelings. My T asks about them multiple times each session and I have a hissy fit each time. He tells me to look at my list of words that he has given me. I still struggle. ANGER is the only one I can usually name. Now he is on a new kick where he says anger is made up and fed by other emotions and he will tell me he already knows I feel anger so he wants to hear other emotion words. This causes me to struggle and have a fit even more.
One time I was actually able to answer him on the second try and he had to make a point to say that I am doing better because I told him how I felt on the second try where usually he has to ask several times and I throw a fit and say I hate emotions, I just want them to go away.
Supposedly mindfulness observation and labeling of thoughts and feelings helps this. I work at mindfulness regularly but I cannot say it feels any easier. T is always glad that I practice it regardless. For some reason I guess feeling emotions is better than being numb which is all I have felt for the past 40+ years. I HATE emotions. I don't care what he says.
Sorry, I don't have any better solutions. I feel your pain. It is very frustrating. I told my T that every time he asks that question I feel ANGER.
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Thank you for sharing this. I'm in a similar boat, only difference is I can identify a general 'sadness' feeling too.
My therapist asks how I feel all the time, and the answer is always 'sad'. He'll ask me to elaborate and I always tell him I don't have any other words to give him.
Don't know if it helps, OP, but my therapist will ask me what images spring to mind when I can't explain in words. The images seem to be an 'in' to my feelings for my therapist. I never even realised how much I communicate in imagery till my therapist stayed asking me to share with him.
We did a sand tray once, which was also good in helping me express things I couldn't say.
Might be worth sharing what 'is' coming up for you (sounds, memories, pictures, etc). Words aren't the only way to talk about something.