[Claritytoo]

Is it ever a good idea to take a break from therapy. I have a good therapist and I am better off since starting therapy. I know a lot more about us then I ever would have without therapy. I think I can safely say I think I would have become reclusive after losing my job if it wasn't for therapy. But it is such an internal battle all the time. Just when I think we have agreed to do our best in therapy I start to get pressured to take a break from therapy. I get paranoid and want to stop talking to anyone. I guess I am a little tired and am questioning my reasons for wanting a break. My brain actually feels physically tired from therapy. So has anyone just taken a break from therapy and than went back better for having taken the break. I know I must make my own decision but I would just like to know if anyone else has had a similar experience.

[pegasus]

I would let you therapist know and ask him/her to slow down a bit. Hugs

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Claritytoo

Is it ever a good idea to take a break from therapy. I have a good therapist and I am better off since starting therapy. I know a lot more about us then I ever would have without therapy. I think I can safely say I think I would have become reclusive after losing my job if it wasn't for therapy. But it is such an internal battle all the time. Just when I think we have agreed to do our best in therapy I start to get pressured to take a break from therapy. I get paranoid and want to stop talking to anyone. I guess I am a little tired and am questioning my reasons for wanting a break. My brain actually feels physically tired from therapy. So has anyone just taken a break from therapy and than went back better for having taken the break. I know I must make my own decision but I would just like to know if anyone else has had a similar experience.

for some people it is a good idea to take a break from therapy for others it isnt. therapy is just like any other treatment option ...what is good for one is not always good for another person. we all make our own decisions of whats right for us...

for me yes I have taken many breaks from therapy. my therapy is based upon my problems, if Im not having problems I need to work on with my therapist I dont schedule appointments with her, just like if I dont have a medical issue or basic check up that needs to be taken care of with my medical doctor, I dont schedule appointments with them.

example a few years ago I had not been seeing my therapist but then a traumatic event happened during work which resulted in my having PTSD problems. I called my therapist from the scene of the event, she was with me through the whole process and then for after care of working on my PTSD issues related to that traumatic event. when I was mentally stable and no longer having those issues I did not schedule appointments with my therapist until I had some more issues that I needed to work on in therapy.

dont get me wrong I dont go through terminating with a therapist each time and then get a new one if thats what you mean by taking a break...... I just have the type of scheduling system with my treatment providers where I dont go in to my appointments and then have nothing to work on, sit there doing nothing, I dont have that kind of time nor money so for me and my treatment providers we dont terminate each time I take a break...we just look at it the same as we would having diabetes, heart disease, broken bones and other medical issues..when I have something to work on I call and schedule. when I dont have things my therapist can help me with or problems I need to work on I dont schedule appointments.

[Claritytoo]

Thanks for the response. I don't think my t is the problem. This wavering back and forth from acceptance of DID to denial has been with me since the beginning. I am never sure if I want to leave therapy because I am avoiding or because I am uncertain about who I will become. I feel a little lost. I just sometimes don't know who I am. This feeling causes me anxiety, fear and confusion. Sometimes I just want to go back to not knowing. But that wasn't working either. So I get frozen and don't want to do anything. I just want to hide.

[pegasus]

Ignorance was bliss but leads to illness. Knowing is painful but ultimately is better than the former. I do understand...

[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by amandalouise

for some people it is a good idea to take a break from therapy for others it isnt. therapy is just like any other treatment option ...what is good for one is not always good for another person. we all make our own decisions of whats right for us...

for me yes I have taken many breaks from therapy. my therapy is based upon my problems, if Im not having problems I need to work on with my therapist I dont schedule appointments with her, just like if I dont have a medical issue or basic check up that needs to be taken care of with my medical doctor, I dont schedule appointments with them.

example a few years ago I had not been seeing my therapist but then a traumatic event happened during work which resulted in my having PTSD problems. I called my therapist from the scene of the event, she was with me through the whole process and then for after care of working on my PTSD issues related to that traumatic event. when I was mentally stable and no longer having those issues I did not schedule appointments with my therapist until I had some more issues that I needed to work on in therapy.

dont get me wrong I dont go through terminating with a therapist each time and then get a new one if thats what you mean by taking a break...... I just have the type of scheduling system with my treatment providers where I dont go in to my appointments and then have nothing to work on, sit there doing nothing, I dont have that kind of time nor money so for me and my treatment providers we dont terminate each time I take a break...we just look at it the same as we would having diabetes, heart disease, broken bones and other medical issues..when I have something to work on I call and schedule. when I dont have things my therapist can help me with or problems I need to work on I dont schedule appointments.

How do you know when you have something to work on? I don't know what you mean by that. When I started therapy I was thinking that I could hurt myself. I was thinking that I was losing my mind. Now several years later I don't think I will hurt myself and I am not crazy.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Claritytoo

How do you know when you have something to work on? I don't know what you mean by that. When I started therapy I was thinking that I could hurt myself. I was thinking that I was losing my mind. Now several years later I don't think I will hurt myself and I am not crazy.

I know how I am physically and mentally. example I know when my body starts feeling run down, heavy, exhausted I know I am either pushing my self too thin trying to do too much, am getting physically ill with a cold, flu or other physical health issue, or something mentally is off (going into my depression phase, meds with bipolar may not be working or is too much or too little, having intrusive thoughts any number of things)

at this point I start looking deeper within physically and mentally to assess why I feel that way.....do I feel cold symptoms, flu symptoms or other physical symptoms that may point to a problem...Have I been in contact with anyone with the flu or cold or other contagions (ie chicken pox what ever)...am I eating correctly for my dietary needs, am I getting enough sleep, have I accidentally skipped meals or meds or skimped out on sleep.....Am I having any intrusive thoughts that are interfering with my day to day, work family life, ....how long have I been feeling this way...

through this process I discover whether or not the problem is medical or physical and whether this is something I can take care of on my own or whether I need my treatment providers help. my treatment providers also use the standard of if you have been feeling "off" for at least a few days and can not discover on your own what the problem and solution is then by all means schedule and we will help you with that. any thoughts of self harm or suicide is on my automatic schedule and see my treatment providers type of situation.

[innocentjoy]

It might ease a lot of your worries by bringing this IP with your t. I was able to talk to my t about one part hating therapy. It opened up the topic and he let her ask whatever questions she wanted so that she felt better about going. It was good for us and led to some peace of mind.

Another thought is that some therapists believe that you need space to live without therapy for awhile. One of the places I get counselling has breaks set in. This is partly for funding and availability and partly because too much therapy can be difficult on a person. Sometimes you need to experience life without a regular appointment to build up confidence in yourself.

Have you tried writing a pro/con list with your parts? It would be helpful to see everyone's reasons on paper. Make sure that everyone can say what they wish about it, I have a tendency to filter some of the points/wording of parts and they get upset. You could bring that into your session.

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[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by amandalouise

I know how I am physically and mentally. example I know when my body starts feeling run down, heavy, exhausted I know I am either pushing my self too thin trying to do too much, am getting physically ill with a cold, flu or other physical health issue, or something mentally is off (going into my depression phase, meds with bipolar may not be working or is too much or too little, having intrusive thoughts any number of things)

at this point I start looking deeper within physically and mentally to assess why I feel that way.....do I feel cold symptoms, flu symptoms or other physical symptoms that may point to a problem...Have I been in contact with anyone with the flu or cold or other contagions (ie chicken pox what ever)...am I eating correctly for my dietary needs, am I getting enough sleep, have I accidentally skipped meals or meds or skimped out on sleep.....Am I having any intrusive thoughts that are interfering with my day to day, work family life, ....how long have I been feeling this way...

through this process I discover whether or not the problem is medical or physical and whether this is something I can take care of on my own or whether I need my treatment providers help. my treatment providers also use the standard of if you have been feeling "off" for at least a few days and can not discover on your own what the problem and solution is then by all means schedule and we will help you with that. any thoughts of self harm or suicide is on my automatic schedule and see my treatment providers type of situation.

Thank you.

[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by innocentjoy

It might ease a lot of your worries by bringing this IP with your t. I was able to talk to my t about one part hating therapy. It opened up the topic and he let her ask whatever questions she wanted so that she felt better about going. It was good for us and led to some peace of mind.

Another thought is that some therapists believe that you need space to live without therapy for awhile. One of the places I get counselling has breaks set in. This is partly for funding and availability and partly because too much therapy can be difficult on a person. Sometimes you need to experience life without a regular appointment to build up confidence in yourself.

Have you tried writing a pro/con list with your parts? It would be helpful to see everyone's reasons on paper. Make sure that everyone can say what they wish about it, I have a tendency to filter some of the points/wording of parts and they get upset. You could bring that into your session.

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

I have mentioned to my t that there are parts that don't want to go to therapy. We have talked about a little. The young want to go because they like to talk during therapy. I think they feel safe to talk. But I also have very very angry ones who want to jump out of the chair and curse and carry on about what a f*** my father was. They want to rage. Not hurt my t, but to just blast the things that happened when we were young. I don't know how to let them say what they feel without being concerned I will not be able to stop them if they don't want to be stopped. And I don't mean they would hurt my t, There is a part of me the is embarrassed by their rage and can't bring ourselves to let someone see that. As I write this I know the rage will turn to fear and sadness. I just don't know how to trust that they won't go to far. They are very angry and hateful. That's interesting because I never see any of us as hateful. But they do have hate. Maybe this conflict is why I am looking for a reason to take a break from therapy. I just wish I could trust myself to be able to let them speak.

[innocentjoy]

Perhaps your t could help you to stay safe? I am afraid of being angry as well. It's hard for my angry parts because I don't want to lose control around people. I will let myself punch pillows and scream in my head and will jump up and down do art projects or tear up pieces of paper. But I can't even feel safe doing those most of the time. What does your t say about the anger?

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[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by innocentjoy

Perhaps your t could help you to stay safe? I am afraid of being angry as well. It's hard for my angry parts because I don't want to lose control around people. I will let myself punch pillows and scream in my head and will jump up and down do art projects or tear up pieces of paper. But I can't even feel safe doing those most of the time. What does your t say about the anger?

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

I don't do well in session talking about my anger. Usually one of my angry parts will start getting irritated and want to express themselves using profanity. When that happens I stop talking about the anger. Because I am concerned about switching. If someone is pushing to be out the one who is already out has to push back to stay. It's too chaotic and creates anxiety. You used the words " lose control". I think that sums up my fears, that I will lose control and not be able to get it back. Or be seen in a different light. I have spent a lot of years making certain that we behaved as "normal" as possible. I know how I want to be I am just not sure that is who I am.

[innocentjoy]

I just want to ask this for you to think about, not to have to answer us. Is the reason you want to take a break because you're afraid of what's going to come out in therapy as opposed to taking a chance to work through on your own? Doing this out of fear would be something that is very important to talk to your t about. Again, just some food for thought...

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[Rzay4]

I've taken breaks and always returned right where I left off, some times it was years. It depends on the individual.

[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by innocentjoy

I just want to ask this for you to think about, not to have to answer us. Is the reason you want to take a break because you're afraid of what's going to come out in therapy as opposed to taking a chance to work through on your own? Doing this out of fear would be something that is very important to talk to your t about. Again, just some food for thought...

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

It's a good question and I don't know the answer. There is definitely parts that are afraid to know, I have parts that are afraid of anger and rage and think that we will have to be angry at some point in therapy in order to get to the memories so that would also be fear. I wrote my t an email telling her I didn't think I wanted to continue therapy but when I woke up the next morning some of us were frantic and quickly wrote her back to tell her we changed our mind and want to continue therapy. My little ones have been stressed out with all this talk about ending therapy. I am still not sure but I think because I am not sure I should continue to bring us to therapy. There is definitely fear involved with wanting to stop. But I am also at a point where I feel like I need to be away from therapy in order to clarify what I want from therapy. If that make sense.