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Grand Member
Member Since Jan 2021
Location: On a raindrop far, far away
Posts: 871
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#1
Hi there,
it's been a while. I had a meeting yesterday with another T, after my prior T and I stopped therapy. While he cannot therapeut me as he is moving in November, I finally have somewhat of a diagnosis, and it is PTSD. I wanted to ask those who have done it, what are the benefits of psychoanalysis? Seems intense, seems disruptive. Can I study as I do? Can I work, as I do? Should I wait until I finish in roughly 2 years? What are your experiences? Many thanks. Yours, Kate |
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Fuzzybear, Tribica
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Junior Member
Member Since Jun 2021
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 21
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#2
Hi,
I have severe bipolar type I disorder. Been in weekly or biweekly therapy since I was first diagnosed 14 years ago. lots of issues combined, and therapy stabilizes me. Most people don't need nearly that long. My first priority when paid has always been health insurance, before anything else. Meds.and therapy add up quick Medical studies show that meds alone help with many disorders a lot, and talk therapy alone can be very helpful, but the powerhouse is both together. Both talk therapy and meds are much much better than just 1. Meds treat the underlying chemistry that is going haywire, and are extremely important. However for me, when stress builds up, that makes meds not work as good. If I do not handle stress and deal with the issues causing stress, then I am likely to go back to hospital even though on meds. Talk therapy and psychoanalysis are long term stress reducers. Long term coping mechanisms. Talk therapy increases ways to cope, and for me when I make progress sometimes. My meds can be lowered. psychoanalysis can be disruptive sometimes, but gradually it can allow more stability long term. Good therapists move slowly, so it does not upend your life, but rather reach deep issues and teach coping skills. |
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Fuzzybear
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AliceKate
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Grand Member
Member Since Jan 2021
Location: On a raindrop far, far away
Posts: 871
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#3
Hi Painterwithlight, thank you for the insight, that is very useful... I don't want to take meds, but I am worried how I would react to such an intrusive form of therapy. I've known myself to become volatile in thought before and I am scared of becoming so in action. It's good to hear that a good therapist moves slowly, though it might be hard to find.
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Fuzzybear
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Junior Member
Member Since Jun 2021
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 21
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#4
Hi AliceKate,
I am glad it helped. There are different types of talk therapy,more than I can list here. I am not a therapist so not entirely sure I am using right terms next...someone feel free jump in. All talk therapy I have had you sit with a therapist in a safe, quiet room., Mostly I sit up in a comfy chair unlike cartoons normally people are not laying down. Other people in same building and nearby in other rooms which makes me feel safer. You bring up things that have happened in the week or bother you., Or stuff from past been on your mind Therapist will ask questions or make comments that help you understand what happened, give you insight why you responded or acted a certain way. Sometimes therapist will.mention something you said before.from your past, help connect it to a way you reacted recently. ifI am really uncomfortable or get scared, I say I don't want to talk about this anymore. Therapist will typically change subject right away, or ask what you want to discuss next. Rarely have I had a therapist try to continue pushing me in that direction in that session. Now later on, that subject may come up again in a slightly different way. If you are uncomfortable.or scared you say that, and therapist may help you figure out why you are scared right then. Some talk therapy deal with really deep stuff you may not really conciously know, and this type is psychoanalysis (not sure right name) like Freud but up to date.. Like slow building talk. Good therapist works with you slowly in this type,and it takes more time, very regular sessions, benefit is over time. Cognitive behavioral therapy is different,helps with more specific goals, takes fewer sessions compared to the other type,and teaches changing how someone sees a problem and they change their behavior, and then over time your gut reaction and feelings change to match. Like pouring milk from a bowl into a glass, your thoughts and behavior changing can change how your emotions change. Like when I walk for exercise, I moan and mope and whine mentally the whole walk lol. cBT the therapist may say well, as you walk look for something beautiful or interesting every few feet. Focus a lot on the sparrow you see, or the flower. Then because I change my thinking, my emotions change too....I am not complaining whole time, and instead I feel happy Anyway...most therapists use combo of several types therapy. I am getting rambly lol. If you go therapist Ask what methods they will use to help you. Talk to therapist about being scared to start therapy, see how they talk to you about that. If you do not like therapist, try someone else. I will add therapy is not always comfortable, not sunshine and flowers, but it is not intensively traumatic or deeply scarring. Helps you look at trauma or moods etc so that is uncomfortable and can stir up bad memories. But you look at past trauma with your therapist as an ally and helper, and dealing with the trauma mY be uncomfortable to start with,but good therapist with any method does not force you into areas you are not ready deal.with. Hope that helps! __________________ Reach for the stars! They cry But I only touch Fireflies By me |
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Fuzzybear
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Grand Member
Member Since Jan 2021
Location: On a raindrop far, far away
Posts: 871
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#5
Hi Painterwithlight,
Thanks for the overview He recommended psychoanalysis, the slow kind. Not sure I'm up to it, but I already said that. But yes, good tip, stating my fears at the beginning, also to give the T a heads up, I guess. I'm searching for one that does one of the specifically recommended psychoanalysis types. Never wanted to do psychoanalysis. Always seemed like bogey, but after trying CBT, that one seems very short.term, not really working through things, but just making me able to work on a pretty high level. But I want the hallucinations to go away for good, so I guess it's time fore something deeper. Thanks again K |
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Fuzzybear, Painterwithlight
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catches the flowers
Member Since Jul 2019
Location: Downtown Vibes, California
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#6
If I could afford psychoanalysis I would do it in a heartbeat. My current therapist uses a little bit of psychodynamic therapy, but mostly CBT. CBT has its place, but it certainly doesn't bother with depth.
Then too, I've heard and read that psychoanalysis is a long and winding process that doesn't really "cure" the patient, ultimately. __________________ |
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Fuzzybear
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Legendary
Member Since Jun 2007
Location: Washington DC metro area
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#7
My thoughts:
There is no such thing as "psychoanalysis". That is, the term psychoanalysis does not uniquely define what actually happens in sessions. It very much depends on the individual analyst -- which means you are the one who has to decide if what he or she is doing is good for you. The person who needs to be already stable enough to decide that, is the one who is looking for help. Good luck. You may find someone who can really help you, and you may not. I think the state of the art or science is not advanced enough to have confidence in it to begin with. You are left to decide that. __________________ Now if thou would'st When all have given him o'er From death to life Thou might'st him yet recover -- Michael Drayton 1562 - 1631 |
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Fuzzybear
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Wisest Elder Ever
Member Since Nov 2002
Location: Cave.
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#8
The quality of the relationship..... I agree with some of the previous posts. I agree that you decide whether what he or she is doing is good for you.
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