22 Hours and counting

T appointment in 22 hours and counting. I really, really like my T. I trust her. I enjoy working with her. HOWEVER...starting the day before my appointment, I always get soooo nervous!

Right now, I'm already starting to feel jittery. I know that will progress to outright anxiety just before the session, if I don't start paying attention to it now! I called a friend this morning, and we took our dogs for a nice long walk. I've been super busy with work today, and will be super busy tomorrow morning as well. I'm keeping my favorite music on (well, as long as I'm not on conference calls anyway) and that's helping too. Tonight, I plan to journal a bit, then do something that will engage my concentration. Tomorrow morning, I'll take a dog for a walk, then stay busy with work right up until I have to leave. That should leave me with just the 30 minute drive and wait in the lobby to let my anxiety out to play.

I really, really HATE how anxious I get about going to T. She's always awesome, I do trust her, I like her....it's just that it's so hard for me to talk about things and let myself experience emotions. I need to talk to my T about this....I really do.

Well, I'm 75 minutes and counting and boy, do the emotions flare up before a session.

I so relate to this right now! I'm counting down to my session as well - 14 hours to go for me. It feels horrible especially when there are difficult things you know you want to talk about. I just have to keep reminding myself that it will be worth it. It sounds like you have a really good plan to stay busy - maybe you can find an audiobook or something to play in the car on the way there that needs your concentration. Hope you can talk to your t about this and that you have a good session

Great idea!!! Thank you! I have a ton of Audiobooks I've downloaded, that I could listen to. I always use them on long trips...duh - I could use them for short trips too.

Hi BlessedRhiannon,

I really hope your session goes well!

I always think its funny how I really adore my T and yet about 20 minutes before my session I feel such a panic that i have to really try to calm down by doing breathing techniques.

Don't worry you are not alone and I think it's good you recognise that you really like your therapist and that you do things to help yourself get to your session in spite of your anxiety!!

you so do almost the same stuff i do to distract myself before T,work ,music,friends,shopping,journaling,etc...i get to her office and i am in just about melt down mode i am so nervousdoesnt seem to work so well either.if i come up with something ill let you know but untill then

Ahh.. I SO get this as well! It's sometimes hard for me because I do push past the anxiety and go to therapy but it feels the same as when I push past the anxiety and do things that are triggering. It feels the same initally and sometimes hard to tell when to 'honor my feelings' and when to push past them or feel them and do the action anyway. Not sure if this makes any sense. Ditto on the filling my day with distractions- the 'night before T' is always the hardest!

I so get the anxiety too!
Thinking of you!