Is It Common To Feel Mentally Drained After Therapy?

Dec 21, 2011 at 09:46 PM

Hi everyone,

Ever since I started therapy, I have noticed that after a session I will feel mentally drained. Almost like I have just written the hardest and longest essay of my life. Today I had a very productive session, but still felt that mental tiredness afterwards. Doesn't matter if it goes well or not, it still happens!

Can anyone relate? Any tips on how to get through it more quickly?

skysblue · Dec 21, 2011 at 09:54 PM

I suspect everyone can relate. It's exhausting for me - mentally, emotionally and physically. Next session I'm going to ask T if we can spend a bit more time winding down at end of session and maybe she can give me some parting tips on managing the rest of the day.

Chopin99 · Dec 21, 2011 at 10:44 PM

Oh yes, Melissa, I can definitely relate! Sometimes the preparation for therapy is even worse for me!!

nicoleb2 · Dec 21, 2011 at 11:05 PM

Totally exhausting!

stopdog · Dec 21, 2011 at 11:06 PM

I understand from my partner that she experiences mental fatigue. I am usually in a frustrated rage rather than mentally tired.

sweepy62 · Dec 21, 2011 at 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melissa.recovering

Hi everyone,

Ever since I started therapy, I have noticed that after a session I will feel mentally drained. Almost like I have just written the hardest and longest essay of my life. Today I had a very productive session, but still felt that mental tiredness afterwards. Doesn't matter if it goes well or not, it still happens!

Can anyone relate? Any tips on how to get through it more quickly?

it sure is, actually for me its emotionally draining and before lol as i have generalized anxiety borderline personality and ect.. and i have been seeing her for a yr last session was good no complicated topics just kind of all over the place, she has given me an assignment to read i hate you dont leave me and to write down how i identify with the book, so maybe i dont have to talk about trauma next week whew

kasva · Dec 21, 2011 at 11:31 PM

hi....yep...i feel mentally tired after therapy.not as much as i used to.i have a half hour drive back from t. lately ive not turned on my music and have spent that time processing my t session. i don't know if that is why im not as tired as i used to be but it did coincide.....take good care..........kasva

Dec 22, 2011 at 04:37 AM

It is normal to feel drained after therapy. It is mentally exhausting work. I have been seeing my therapist for a number of years on a Friday. At first I felt exhausted all day Friday and sometimes all of the weekend. Now, it is less draining and I usually feel back to normal in an hour or two, unless it has been a particularly gruelling session.

Dec 22, 2011 at 05:35 AM

Exhausting and gruelling? That hasn't really been my experience - but I do tend to feel very contemplative, and sometimes a little spaced out. Sometimes something that got said will only really hit me later.

granite1 · Dec 22, 2011 at 06:58 AM

i will also feel drained a lot after session

WePow · Dec 22, 2011 at 07:49 AM

For us, it is very exhausting. We have learned to not "over think" the session.
Our T taught us how to make a mental "safe" where we put everything into it at the end of session. Sometimes things will be left out. But I try hard to put it back into the safe.

Therapy is hard work. So it can leave us drained.

Nelliecat · Dec 22, 2011 at 01:44 PM

Yes absolutely, maybe immediately or maybe later that day but definately exhausting. I am learning to just go with it and let it be.

Perna · Dec 22, 2011 at 02:16 PM

I've gotten home from therapy before where it has been a race to see if I could finish dinner or if I'd fall asleep in my food

Dec 22, 2011 at 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just_some_girl

Exhausting and gruelling? That hasn't really been my experience - but I do tend to feel very contemplative, and sometimes a little spaced out. Sometimes something that got said will only really hit me later.

On second thoughts maybe I just don't notice because I'm exhausted pretty much all the time. Or maybe it's WHY I'm exhausted all the time, ha...

Dec 22, 2011 at 02:57 PM

Definitely draining for me too! I usually come home and go to bed after a quick snack.

CantExplain · Dec 22, 2011 at 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melissa.recovering

Hi everyone,

Ever since I started therapy, I have noticed that after a session I will feel mentally drained. Almost like I have just written the hardest and longest essay of my life. Today I had a very productive session, but still felt that mental tiredness afterwards. Doesn't matter if it goes well or not, it still happens!

Can anyone relate? Any tips on how to get through it more quickly?

Yes, therapy is tough. It was the hardest thing I ever did.

beautiful.mess · Dec 23, 2011 at 01:33 AM

I feel like this too. I hate it. I drive home in a trance, and once home I sit and stare at the wall. Or in todays case, I stared at the Christmas tree for about 2 hours while my kids watched a movie. It will be another day or two before I snap out of it. I have no idea on how to make it go faster and I don't think that's even possible. It's all part of the process unfortunately.

notz · Dec 23, 2011 at 01:52 AM

It is often common for me. I find it hard to wake up the next morning - just want to go back to sleep. I work on not viewing as a bad thing but to view it as one of healing and regeneration.

SpiritRunner · Dec 23, 2011 at 01:55 AM

with my exT, I definitely felt drained after many sessions, a spacy, tired feeling, emotionally spent and I needed/wanted hours/days for processing.....with my current T, not so much. I don't know why, it's not because we don't work hard or she doesn't ever push me, but I'm not exhausted mentally/emotionally; these days I tend to feel like I've been enlivened or intellectually stimulated, I guess. Maybe that sounds weird. It might be the difference between her style and exT's style and the difference between the sort of attachment I feel for them..... I do think over things she has said/suggested, of course. But once session is over, I do just kind of keep my mind/body moving forward to whatever's next....it was harder to do that with exT. so interesting how it's so different for me with this one!

Dec 23, 2011 at 02:59 AM

Oh yes, as I'm sure you've already gathered by the other responses. Not every time for me, but depending on how a session goes I'll sometimes feel very mentally drained and a need to just be alone and quiet while I "recharge", and if it was particularly painful I'll be very sad and withdrawn for at least a day after.

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Is It Common To Feel Mentally Drained After Therapy?

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skysblue Magnate Member Since Apr 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,885 13 554 hugs given	Dec 21, 2011 at 09:54 PM #2 I suspect everyone can relate. It's exhausting for me - mentally, emotionally and physically. Next session I'm going to ask T if we can spend a bit more time winding down at end of session and maybe she can give me some parting tips on managing the rest of the day.
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Chopin99 Elder Member Since Dec 2009 Location: Southeastern US Posts: 5,221 14 3,569 hugs given	Dec 21, 2011 at 10:44 PM #3 Oh yes, Melissa, I can definitely relate! Sometimes the preparation for therapy is even worse for me!! __________________ *Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. - Henry David Thoreau*
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nicoleb2 Magnate Member Since Nov 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,439 13 25 hugs given	Dec 21, 2011 at 11:05 PM #4 Totally exhausting!
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stopdog underdog is here Member Since Sep 2011 Location: blank Posts: 34,907 (SuperPoster!) 12 1 hugs given	Dec 21, 2011 at 11:06 PM #5 I understand from my partner that she experiences mental fatigue. I am usually in a frustrated rage rather than mentally tired.
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kasva Veteran Member Member Since Dec 2009 Posts: 320 14 1 hugs given	Dec 21, 2011 at 11:31 PM #7 hi....yep...i feel mentally tired after therapy.not as much as i used to.i have a half hour drive back from t. lately ive not turned on my music and have spent that time processing my t session. i don't know if that is why im not as tired as i used to be but it did coincide.....take good care..........kasva
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Anonymous33370 Guest Posts: n/a	Dec 22, 2011 at 04:37 AM #8 It is normal to feel drained after therapy. It is mentally exhausting work. I have been seeing my therapist for a number of years on a Friday. At first I felt exhausted all day Friday and sometimes all of the weekend. Now, it is less draining and I usually feel back to normal in an hour or two, unless it has been a particularly gruelling session.
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Anonymous33425 Guest Posts: n/a	Dec 22, 2011 at 05:35 AM #9 Exhausting and gruelling? That hasn't really been my experience - but I do tend to feel very contemplative, and sometimes a little spaced out. Sometimes something that got said will only really hit me later.
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granite1 running with scissors Member Since Aug 2009 Location: in my head Posts: 15,961 (SuperPoster!) 14 4,685 hugs given	Dec 22, 2011 at 06:58 AM #10 i will also feel drained a lot after session __________________ BEHAVIORS ARE EASY WORDS ARE NOT Dx, HUMAN Rx, no medication for that
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WePow Elder Member Since Oct 2006 Location: Everywhere and Nowhere Posts: 6,588 17 1,740 hugs given	Dec 22, 2011 at 07:49 AM #11 For us, it is very exhausting. We have learned to not "over think" the session. Our T taught us how to make a mental "safe" where we put everything into it at the end of session. Sometimes things will be left out. But I try hard to put it back into the safe. Therapy is hard work. So it can leave us drained. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Nelliecat Grand Member Member Since May 2011 Location: UK Posts: 960 13 1,019 hugs given	Dec 22, 2011 at 01:44 PM #12 Yes absolutely, maybe immediately or maybe later that day but definately exhausting. I am learning to just go with it and let it be.
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Perna Pandita-in-training Member Since Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 27,289 (SuperPoster!) 17 550 hugs given	Dec 22, 2011 at 02:16 PM #13 I've gotten home from therapy before where it has been a race to see if I could finish dinner or if I'd fall asleep in my food __________________ "Never give a sword to a man who can't dance." ~Confucius
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Anonymous47147 Guest Posts: n/a	Dec 22, 2011 at 02:57 PM #15 Definitely draining for me too! I usually come home and go to bed after a quick snack.
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notz Wisest Elder Ever Member Since Oct 2008 Location: Notzville Posts: 60,397 (SuperPoster!) 15 6,732 hugs given	Dec 23, 2011 at 01:52 AM #18 It is often common for me. I find it hard to wake up the next morning - just want to go back to sleep. I work on not viewing as a bad thing but to view it as one of healing and regeneration. __________________ notz
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Anonymous100153 Guest Posts: n/a	Dec 23, 2011 at 02:59 AM #20 Oh yes, as I'm sure you've already gathered by the other responses. Not every time for me, but depending on how a session goes I'll sometimes feel very mentally drained and a need to just be alone and quiet while I "recharge", and if it was particularly painful I'll be very sad and withdrawn for at least a day after.
	Reply With Quote