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Originally Posted by BethRags
100% absolutely! Believe me, I am very grateful for teletherapy as opposed to no therapy. That said, I miss in person therapy very much. Sure, it's the actual sessions with my therapist, but it's the other little things, too...getting dressed to go out, driving over, seeing the receptionists and saying hi, maybe chatting a bit.
Basically, being in an environment that is different than the one I'm in almost all of the time.
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Yes, I experience it the same way. I've found that my therapy sessions are really important for me to compartmentalize so I can chop things up into short periods of time, which is a lot less daunting than the prospect of facing the same endless cascade of symptoms for who knows how long. The teletherapy sessions don't have the same effect of cutting time into manageable fragments because I don't even leave the house, so it's just another day and I don't get that feeling of compartmentalization.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BethRags
It does make sense. I've never thought of that perspective. It seems to me that communication is the way to handle the irritability/anger bundle. Well, communication, medication, and oftentimes physically reaching out can have an amazing effect.
By reaching out, I mean this...my husband and I have been a couple for 38 years. Never once, in all that time, has he reacted to my irritability or anger by showing that he acknowledges me feeling upset by physically touching me and speaking softly. He just gets defensive, which usually exacerbates the situation.
Some weeks ago I mentioned to my husband that I had had a session (months ago) in which I was raging at my therapist over her being late. I really came unglued in her office. Her response was to focus in and listen. Then she stood up and sat down next to me, put her arms around me and held me. It was like magic. I instantly felt validated, heard, and loved. I felt calmed.
I guess my husband was listening to me recounting the experience with my therapist, because yesterday when I was very irritable, he walked over, put his hand on my shoulder, and said "I know you're upset, but I didn't mean it that way" in a calm voice. Immediately, I felt calmer and more receptive to dialoguing with him.
Anyway. Don't even know if this is relevant...just throwing thoughts out.
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Yes, I think I know what you mean. Often when I'm so angry it really comes from a place of pain, but it's hard for people to see that so they fight back when you really just want them to understand you. It's great that your husband did that!