[shezbut]

Just having a real hard time managing my emotions and extreme stress level ~ going bi-weekly doesn't seem to be enough for me. I just went to therapy a couple of hours ago and I'm still stressed to the max! How will I make it another 2 weeks to my next session?? That's a looong time!

Help please!!

[racee]

i think of it like this...i didn't always have the money to go to therapy and at times didn't want help...i had weekly ssessions and now its twice a month.
I think of it as a privilage i have in my life that i have at least one person to talk to and can help me thru the times...not a rite!

even though yes i pay them for the time...there are so many others out there that do not get a chance to recieve therapy.

so this helps me with being ok with the little time i do have with my therapist

revise this...also was just thinking when i was seeing her once a week i was freaking out between sessions and thinking i needed to see her sooner and i couldn't deal. i think having it farther apart hewlped me become a little more strong willed and not having to rely on her as much to get me thru.

[suzzie]

((((((((( shezbut )))))))))

[ladyjrnlist]

Try to think about how your T would guide you during your time away, if that helps. Also remember you are strong and can do it.

Originally Posted by shezbut

Just having a real hard time managing my emotions and extreme stress level ~ going bi-weekly doesn't seem to be enough for me. I just went to therapy a couple of hours ago and I'm still stressed to the max! How will I make it another 2 weeks to my next session?? That's a looong time!

Help please!!

When we find that one person we can trust and feel safe with, it is normal for us to want to be with them daily. Unfortunately, most of us cannot afford to do that.

For me, I journal a lot. I write emails to her just about every day (but only send one or two of them a week). Just sharing with her how my day was and talking with her as if she were my best friend. It makes me feel connected to her even though we are not really communicating. It helps me pass the time between our sessions, and it also helps me to process my emotions.

She is okay with emails, so that works for me. If I did not have that contact with her it would be grueling to pass the time between sessions. Sometimes I wonder if therapy is a good thing or not. We are supposed to form this trusting bond with someone, and yet we are limited with our access to them. It is complicated and makes us feel very weak and vulnerable at times. I totally understand how you feel. I wish I could tell you some way to make that anxiety go away, but I am facing the same thing. Many of us on PC relate to your post very well.

Sometimes I wish my therapist did video therapy! That way I could see her more often, even though she may not be talking directly to me. She could be having a general conversation about therapy issues that could apply to any of her clients. I think this is a great idea for those of us who need to see and hear our therapists more often than we can afford to.

[Sweetlove]

Have you talked to her about phone calls or email between sessions? That could help if you could at least have some contact to hold you over.

[ECHOES]

For a long time I journalled to help me. I wrote about anything that came to mind. It was a safe place to 'rant' and to say what I wanted, reasonable or not

Is there a way to go weekly right now?

I also use distractions but not very healthy ones--like eating and vegging out in front of the tv. If I can read, that's a much better way to distract, but sometimes I can't when I'm distressed. Knitting and crocheting, doing something with my hands helped to naturally calm me somewhat.

Writing was the biggest help though.

to you!

[Chronic]

(((Shezbut))) The only thing that has helped me is being able to contact T between sessions. I went from once weekly to once fortnightly about a year ago to try and stop myself becoming so attached to T (which hasnt worked!)and I still find it so difficult. It seems a lifetime away having to wait 2 weeks so see him again, especially when I am triggered. The one thing I really try not do (easier said than done) is to think about how far away my next session is- I'm unable to cope with the length of time, so I try not to think any further than this morning or this afternoon or this evening.

I write him emails but don't send all of them- when I am telling him things in the emails it feels as though he is with me even if I dont send it.. I do email every week and thankfully T is ok with this. Although waiting for his reply causes me great distress it's really important for me to know that he is there even when I'm not in his office. It is a comfort.

I also try to use distractions but like Echoes I usually go for unhelpful ones. Sometimes just going for a long walk with my ipod on distracts me for a short time. Is there anything you have upcoming- like a holiday or special event- could you go shopping or plan to do something in relation to that?

I'm sorry it's so hard

[shezbut]

Originally Posted by racee

revise this...also was just thinking when i was seeing her once a week i was freaking out between sessions and thinking i needed to see her sooner and i couldn't deal. i think having it farther apart hewlped me become a little more strong willed and not having to rely on her as much to get me thru.

Interesting, racee.

My T did make a comment about how part of him looked at me seeing him less often was an opportunity for me to feel stronger, more confident. I kind of rolled my eyes at that, thinking that he was just full of beans! Maybe I can become stronger. Thanks for sharing your experience and perspective!

[shezbut]

Originally Posted by Squiggle328

....For me, I journal a lot. I write emails to her just about every day (but only send one or two of them a week). Just sharing with her how my day was and talking with her as if she were my best friend. It makes me feel connected to her even though we are not really communicating. It helps me pass the time between our sessions, and it also helps me to process my emotions...

Sometimes I wonder if therapy is a good thing or not. We are supposed to form this trusting bond with someone, and yet we are limited with our access to them. It is complicated and makes us feel very weak and vulnerable at times. I totally understand how you feel....

Thank you Squiggle328

I journal as well, which does help me realize that I have more than one or two things on my mind. I also tend to be free with my thoughts ~ and don't censor my words. I then read my journal to the T, word for word. It can be embarassing for me at times, but being completely open with my T has allowed a healthy doctor/patient relationship to devlop.

Unfortunately, I am unable to e-mail my T. Or call. I suppose that I could call if it were an utter emergency, but when things are that bad I tend to avoid contact instead.

It is complicated to have a person in my life, who I am completely honest with. And so much stuff is happening ~ I wish that I could get these things off my back sooner. Maybe I need to devote more time to writing in my journal. This year's journal is much smaller than last year, which makes my posts less often and not as expressive. I'll have to work on that...

Thank you! Best wishes to you as well

[shezbut]

Originally Posted by Sweetlove

Have you talked to her about phone calls or email between sessions? That could help if you could at least have some contact to hold you over.

I've never tried to call. I know that he's very busy. It is worth a shot, rather than holding the emotions inside & pulling away. Thank you!

[shezbut]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

For a long time I journalled to help me. I wrote about anything that came to mind. It was a safe place to 'rant' and to say what I wanted, reasonable or not

Is there a way to go weekly right now?

I also use distractions but not very healthy ones--like eating and vegging out in front of the tv. If I can read, that's a much better way to distract, but sometimes I can't when I'm distressed. Knitting and crocheting, doing something with my hands helped to naturally calm me somewhat.

Writing was the biggest help though.

to you!

Thanks Echoes

I do write my experiences and emotions out, but I suppose not regularly, especially when I am busy. In those times, I just go take care of things and fight as my physical health goes downward.

I went to the YMCA today, which helped me work through some anxiety and anger for a little bit. I'll have to write more ~ daily! Thank you!

[shezbut]

Originally Posted by Chronic

(((Shezbut))) The one thing I really try not do (easier said than done) is to think about how far away my next session is- I'm unable to cope with the length of time, so I try not to think any further than this morning or this afternoon or this evening.

I write him emails but don't send all of them- when I am telling him things in the emails it feels as though he is with me even if I dont send it.. I do email every week and thankfully T is ok with this. Although waiting for his reply causes me great distress it's really important for me to know that he is there even when I'm not in his office. It is a comfort.

I also try to use distractions but like Echoes I usually go for unhelpful ones. Sometimes just going for a long walk with my ipod on distracts me for a short time. Is there anything you have upcoming- like a holiday or special event- could you go shopping or plan to do something in relation to that?

I'm sorry it's so hard

Thank you Chronic

You're right. I need to spend my time in the present, rather than kicking myself over the past and wishing for the future. Good point! When I was in DBT, I noticed that it worked very well for me. I'll have to get back into being present in the moment.

I'll also have to check to see if I can call or send an e-mail, in these rough moments, to help me through those times.

I am big into going for walks (with my iPod too) in the country. I sure do miss those times up here in the north! But getting the exercise at YMCA is better than none. It does put my mind in a different state for a while. Maybe daily, during tough times, would be a good thing.

Thanks so much for responding to my post!