[Kiya]

I have seen this in movies and read it in books, but this last session T and I did joke about mental illness. I've always taken offense to the term and concept of the things I deal with constituting as mental illness, so it was sort of a relief and yet shared ....bonding (for lack of a better word) to participate.

As I just moved into a very small apartment and have many challenges within this experience, T was saying I needed a way to cope. I said I talk to the cat a lot (and gave her some examples). Then she said (with this half playful look, half serious) "When the cat answers you back- (this is where I started laughing too, already anticipating the ending) CALL ME". And we both had a good laugh. Though, I'm not sure I like that she used the word "when".... I told her I am already singing children's songs with changed words; "This is the way we lose our minds, lose our minds, lose our minds..."

I've still been thinking about the joke 2 days later - still makes me grin inspite of myself. Felt like something right out of the books; "Girl, Interrupted" and "I never promised you a rose garden" - sharing this moment of half gift, half joke, and some seriousness, some connection. Therapy can be so weird sometimes.

Anyone else?

[Melbadaze]

Its those that are not aware that they are loosing their minds that loose their minds. Yes using "play" in the therapy relationship is quite normal.

Definitely. Sounds corny but humour is (one of) the best medicines out there! My T and I would joke all the time, maybe even too much? But it helped to ease the tension, made me more relaxed and able to talk about the more serious issues.

[WePow]

OH NOOOS YOU DIIINT!!! Kiya!!! Now ( thank you very much ) you have my mind going in cycles with your new lyrics to that children's song! LOL !!!!!
OMG! You are too much fun! I will be thinking of you all day now!

my t and i goof all the time about being a little (okay more than a little) off...

the first time i said something about it..she chimed right in and then stopped with the deer in the headlight look and did the "oh my bad! you are not crazy..t's don't make jokes about that" thing..and you have trauma stuff etc...

now..its a joke fest ..i say something, she says something..we laugh like fools.

i couldn't have a t that didn't have a sense of humor..it's a vital part of me..so it has to be a vital part of my healing.

stumpy

[polarsmom]

"When the cat answers you back- (this is where I started laughing too, already anticipating the ending) CALL ME".

LOL.... My dogs and I have "conversations" all the time!!

told her I am already singing children's songs with changed words; "This is the way we lose our minds, lose our minds, lose our minds..."

LOL..... Now YOUR song is stuck in my head! My husband changes the words to songs all the time. It usually cracks me up!

I have joked with my T about it too. Can't think of any at the moment. But anything that can make me smile, smirk, grin or better yet LOL is a good thing. I don't do this nearly enough.

LOL. What a great moment.

My T always says "crazy people don't wonder if they're crazy."

[skeksi]

My T says that, too, griffinp

As I've become more comfortable with my symptoms, we can joke about them more. I like this. I'd rather be laughing about how my illness makes me act than be ashamed of it! T's caring acceptance means we can both be amused by me sometimes.

[BlueMoon6]

You mean the dog isnt supposed to be answering me back?

[lovelylovely]

My previous therapist whom I missed dearly, was teaching me some techniques on dealing with intrusive thoughts and used the idea of imagining that my leg was made out of cheese, I'm not kidding, I couldn't keep a straight face, I kept bursting out laughing and it started him off too, lol. I did calm down in the end.

[Kiya]

This has got me laughing =)

and bluey, if you see the dog's mouth moving while you hear human words from him - then call t lol =)

[lovelylovely]

Oh ill be sure to, lol
Good doggy!