[TidesOfChaos]

I wasn't sure if this is the right place to post this in, so if I have posted in the wrong place, I'm sorry.
Well, my question is...
What does it mean when talking no longer helps? I mean venting or talking things through would normally help, but that no longer is the case.
If anyone has any ideas on why it no longer helps, I would appreciate your insight.
THank you.

[LMo]

It's a good question, Tides.

I'm not sure if you're referring to talking about a particular situation or feeling, or if you mean that talking about ANYTHING no longer seems to help. I'll address the former first:

For me, when talking about a situation or feeling no longer helps, it's usually because I've gotten bored listening to myself rehash the same thing over and over. I almost look at it as a wake-up call to myself -- if it stops being helpful to talk, then it's probably time for me to figure out how to move on.

However, if you're referring to the concept of talking about ANYTHING no longer being helpful, then that to me sounds exactly like what depression can do. Apathy can be very dangerous. My husband, when he was severely depressed, really clammed up and when urged to open up, would say "what's the point? nobody can help me. nothing will ever get better". It was awful. If you experience that or have observed someone else who feels that way, I'd say that it's definitely time to see a doctor if you haven't already.

Welcome, by the way...

There are lots of things that talking doesn't help which is why my past therapist and I did research and set up a therapy program specifically to address my problems. Im a hands on type person so 98% of what I do for therapy is hands on art work, craft projects, workbooks, textbooks, Diaramas, journaling, writing an autobiography, correlating my poems into a book, relaxation visualizations (hypnosis), music, and it goes on.

If talking isnt working for you then change it. sit down and write out what your problems are and brainstorm ideas that you would like to try to see if they work, ideas that you have tried and how they worked. then take the paper to your therapist office and let them know just talking isnt helping and you want help in learing coping tools that will help and show hom ore her your paper and ask if they have any ideas to add. then its just a matter of you trying those activities.

98% of therapy is not just talking. its the person bringing the ideas and topics that are discussed during therapy into their out of therapy time and use them to make their life better. A therapist cannot fix their clients. A therapist is basically the tool used for venting and a resource for you. but they are not living in your home and they are not you. only you can make the choice to use what is discussed during therapy sessions to make your life better.

i'm glad that you came here and sought support. LMo gave you very good feedback. it is an awful feeling to feel "stuck".........please continue to post and we'll listen.....xoxoxo pat

[Lexicon78]

Actually, I have issues with this very subject. I mean most people feel better when they talk or whatever, but I'm not like that. I can talk to my heart's content and never really feel any better.

I wish I had some answers for you. But I'm just relating.

[pegasus]

TidesOfChaos,

Welcome to Psych Central!

I believe that TALKING is the answer, but when we are feeling down, it is particularly difficult. We shut down and shut off.

Sometimes talking about things that seem unimportant can help to get things moving again.

A good therapist will be able to help you to express your feelings at a pace that you are comfortable with.

Depression can also be helped by other activites- ie painting, drawing, and writing.

Take care.

[Rhapsody]

Try reading this book.... maybe your feelings have gotten stuck.... just like mine once did.

LINK: http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/bo...pid=0911207023

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[(JD)]

welcome to PC. I have to admit, I haven't read the rest of the thread yet...as I am too depressed to read and comprehend all that now.

But since you did post this under depression... I wanted to share that sometimes there are no words to say. Sometimes you need to be able to just sit with your T and allow them to console you... just by being there to listen incase you think of something you want to say. Depression does that sometimes, imo.

(I don't know if you are a believer, but you might recall the story of Job...and how his friends would come and just sit WITH him and they went days without saying anything.)

TC.

[Hopefull]

I can relate. I have been talking to a T for around six months. I am starting to feel like all I so is complain about everything. But, I am not sure how to "get out and socialize more." As for my odd face blindness, my T thinks I can work on it. I have found some websites that claim it is just a biological quirk that can't be treated. Since my twin sister has the same problem, I suspect it is biological in nature. So, I can relate to your feeling of talking not working. I suspose my first response would be what are you doing in your life to try to make things better? Then my second response would be, if you figure out what works when talk isn't effective enough let me know. My T is slanting towards depression and asking me to see a Pdoc. I haven't got any good answers for you except that I am in the same boat. Perhaps, you have a lot of issues that you need resolved and it just takes time to work through the issues. I don't know.

[dreaming2fly]

hi TC.. i understand your question well as i too as well as Lexicon experience this often also..

i mean my T is awesome and we do great work together.. but there are things inside.. something inside me i think that talking isnt just clearing up or getting stuff out of me.. im probablly making no sense.. and it may be because something is blocking me inside still from it.. like a memory or a block such a an emotion of numbness so i wont feel i dont know.. im still trying to figure this all out too for me.. anyway thought i would throw in my 2 cents.. i really do hope we find answers so we can feel better.. my heart goes out to everyone who has a hard time talking.. much love..

Kat