When I'm talking about difficult feelings I notice I tend to form a cave with my hands & look into it.

What are others ways of expressing difficulty?

[Perna]

How insightful of you to notice that! I decided when I started therapy that I would not literally or figuratively go into fetal position so when I get that "urge" to not respond, or listen, or start to curl slightly it is a good reminder to me to work a little harder and remind myself to keep "going". I think of it to myself as being an ice breaker and having to keep the shipping lines open between T and myself, or a mine sweep. . . I have to get out of my head/body and T has to be allowed "in".

[Raging Quiet]

I cover my face with my hands, especially talking about shame or if I feel at my wits end.

[ECHOES]

T's room has a large window with a tree outside, and I "fly" out the window.

T has her own habit - she looks at a particular painting on the wall when she's thinking

[content30]

I will tug at my ear, pull on my hair, and squirm a little. I also look up and to the left, where there happens to be a print on the wall. I joked with T once that I could recreate that print from memory at this point. She replied that she always looks at the one on the other wall. I told her that we should switch the prints so that we'd have something different to look at. They haven't been switched, but it did make her laugh.

[murray]

T's office has quite a few windows and is in a wooded area so I can look out at a beautiful view if I look right, left or straight ahead....wonderful escape.

[jkbob]

I look at the floor or more specifically the bottom of the table next to her chair. I can't look at her when I talk. I can't even force myself to do it. I'm so ashamed.

[rainbow8]

I close my eyes.
I look down.
I look at something in the room or out the window.
I dig my hands into the couch.
I start fidgeting.
I get a drink from my water bottle.
I go to the bathroom.

Since we're doing SE, my T and I are aware of these activities and she or I point them out. She may then have me calm myself by visualizing the lake.

[mandazzle]

A lot of times I just stop talking... curl up. Play with my silly putty and not look up. I guess its not the best thing but I get so lost in my head and can't help it.

[tinyrabbit]

I turn away from my T and I cover my face a lot.

[Miswimmy1]

Once when we were talking about a tricky subject, t commented that I was like, so far away from her (her chair is kind of off to the side of the couch) that I was like, sitting on the opposite armrest of the couch, almost falling off the side.

I tend to curl up and hide my face.

Originally Posted by tinyrabbit

I turn away from my T and I cover my face a lot.

I do this too.

[athena.agathon]

Originally Posted by Perna

I decided when I started therapy that I would not literally or figuratively go into fetal position so when I get that "urge" to not respond, or listen, or start to curl slightly it is a good reminder to me to work a little harder and remind myself to keep "going". I think of it to myself as being an ice breaker and having to keep the shipping lines open between T and myself, or a mine sweep. . . I have to get out of my head/body and T has to be allowed "in".

This is such a great resolution, Perna. I think I need to try a little harder to not pull in and shut down.

I
curl up (literally or figuratively)
hide behind my hair
look at the clock (so much that he's taken to pointing it out..."just fifteen more minutes of opportunity!")
rock myself/fidget my hands/etc.

[1stepatatime]

When it gets uncomfortable I will clutch the pillow next to me, fidget, look everywhere except at T. A few weeks ago I said "okay, time to go"....lol

[Freewilled]

I stare away at the floor or wall....sometimes I cover my face, too. I get squirmy and fidget with my bracelets or pick at my fingernails. I also try to escape a challenging direction my T is aiming at by changing the subject or denying my feelings or that its important /: I hate when I do that one cause it comes out so immature and its like I'm watching myself be so difficult/resistant with very little control over it.

anxious bladder ...I literally leave the room for the toi-toi. Sometimes I warn my T ahead of time that it's a day I am already feeling super freaking anxious.

[Moodswing]

I always have a polished rock I roll around in my hand, I can't look at him, I bow my head and rub my forehead with my left hand when I feel shame, embarrassment or vulnerable, stare at the floor when I start to feel spacey.

[HealingTimes]

I look at the clock and i also have a bad habit of sitting on my hands. Its a dead give away that i am feeling incredibly uncomfortable about discussing something.
My T always notices, mentions it and then we are able to discuss it.

[The_little_didgee]

Usually, I look out the window and watch people coming and going. Sometimes, I play with my ponytail or my polished rocks.