[Popskid]

Sometimes I think I must be the only person who gets really really attached to the mental health professionals that I work with. I recently "graduated" from an intensive treatment program for dual diagnosis (drugs, anxiety, and borderline) after a year. For the last year I have had a case manager that I seen several times a week, talk to on the phone most days, and could call whenever I wanted to and talk about anything I wanted to. I really miss him. I'm not "in love" with or anything weird, I just sort of grew to really like him and enjoy our appointments a lot. I don't want to see him in a way that is non-professional (ie be friends), but some days I just want to talk to him so much that I cry. He still lets me write (email) to him, to keep in touch and help me get through the transition at least.

I just wonder if I am a complete freak. I know when I start seeing someone that it is their job and that if they didn't get paid they wouldn't spend time with me. Somehow though I still just end up getting all emotionally involved. My emotions are so irrational and I just wish that I could reason them away and make them make sense.

[Perna]

Hi, Popskid, welcome to PsychCentral (PC). You don't sound weird to me; I saw a therapist for nine years. . . twice! It's hard when someone, anyone is in our lives for a period of time, not to miss them when they or we move on. Can you remember some of the last days of school in elementary? How everyone cried when we realized we wouldn't be seeing the teacher and maybe some of the kids ever again? It's a normal human reaction. It's a loss!

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Hello popskid,

I can relate, when I was specialising in geriatric I went for a qualification in geriatric mental health. It was an arduous course because there are so many things that sick geriatric patients can't tell you, so for the first 6 months I relied on my tutor to untie the knots of geriatric mental health issues without her actually telling me what I know she shouldn't tell me. Our discussions were amazingly in depth and I learned more from talking to her than I did from the course material.

It took me a while to get used to her not being there to talk to, but I managed. Even though we were not friends I felt like I had lost a friend and I had to go through the same motions of grieving and letting go, just not to the extent that I would for a close friend. I think you are reacting perfectly normal

It's possible to grieve over any loss and it sounds to me like that's what you're going through. It's early days if this has just recently happened, let yourself experience your emotions safely. I'm here if you want to talk. I too can understand, I felt that way when I stopped seeing my counsellor and my psychologist but I did get through it. Take care.

[Princess_Obsidian]

Greetings,

You seem quite normal, to me.

Have a good one.

[Fresia]

I definitely can relate to what you are feeling, nothing weird about it and the loss is real too. It is nice you can stay in touch during the transition. As mentioned earlier, let the emotions happen for the loss and to grieve during this time. It will help as painful as it may be. In time it will lessen but for me there are some providers that I remain with me, their teachings, and sentiments. I miss them but do not feel sorrow anymore with their loss. Hang in there in the meantime. Best wishes with your new provider.

Hello, Popskid. A freak? Nah. When the connection is good, the result is better. You connected.

[Popskid]

Originally Posted by TheByzantine

Hello, Popskid. A freak? Nah. When the connection is good, the result is better. You connected.

You are so right. I learned and grew so much working with him because I could trust him completely and tell him everything without hesitation. It was totally worth it.

[shezbut]

I become attached too, popskid.

I haven't read anyone elses response to your post yet, as I don't want it to color what I wanted to say.

It is hard not become attached to someone who has listened to our troubles, and help guide us through life as we are finding our way back into society. I would think that becoming attached is perfectly natural and kind of expected in T. Particularly the more dependent we once were upon our T's, to give us hope that life would someday get better.

It is nice that your T allows you to e-mail him. Have you begun to see another T, once weekly, to continue working through your problems? Bringing this up with him/her could help you gain a better perspective. Hopefully, that would ease the pain of this close relationship ending. It is hard.

Gentle hugs to you!

[lonely and scared]

your not a freak i went through something similar with my counsellor. i saw him for quite a while and sort of grow attached to him. i think this is because we rely on them emotional to give us the support we need, also they are always there to listen. eventually things will become easier.