[tealBumblebee]

I've been seeing T for just over 8 months now - time flies. She's commented about how much she's seen me grow, and I just kind of halfheartedly agree - consumed in whatever drama I am in at the moment. I know my moods been more pleasant for longer, and so I'm like "I guess so".

Then, today, just now really, I listened to this song that I have not listened to in months. I was kind of avoiding it (it occasionally pops up from my history) because it's a slow song - I never felt it had much significance - but I like the song and decided to listen to it. As the music played, I found myself flashing back to the darker moments (when I first started T) and was just like .

I realized that I have made a lot of progress. I literally had no idea until that moment how deep in the hole I was - and I really have grown! It's an amazing feeling to know that 'doing the work' has its awarding moments too. I am definitely going to have to tell her about it.

So, it made me wonder - even for those of you who are still 'working' (like me) or have completed the work - how did you know that you made progress? Like, when did you realize and what did that moment feel like to you?

[kaliope]

there are times I feel like I haven't got anywhere but then I read posts people make here on PC and see how much they are struggling with deep dark depressions or manic moments and wildly fluctuating moods and even though my life is still limited with my anxiety and agoraphobia, I read these posts and realize how far I have come because I am stable now. I don't have that mood instability any more. I no longer suffer from emotional reactivity and for that I am grateful. thanks for reminding me....take care

[Arha]

Wel done Kaliope. Both for your progress and for realizing it.
My psychiatrist no longer feels the need to ask me about my mood generally every session. For the first 6 months this had to be done at least weekly to monitor me for very low mood and suicide risk.
So that is progress.
I don't think I am at the end of the process yet, but he has mentioned that we are close. He has said that we must gradually step back from the regular sessions, as a sudden stop often results in going backwards. He is not rushing things though and is asking me to let him know when I think we are there. That in itself is a scary thought: making the call myself. That is part of my problem though: trusting my own judgement.

[HealingTimes]

Well done on your progress, that's great to hear

For me, I know I have made progress because:

-I no longer survive on diet coke, chicken, peas and cucumber. I can walk into a restaurant and order food, and eat it, and keep it down. Its amazing to me!

-I don't try and isolate myself anymore. I don't avoid contact with people.

-I can sleep and function properly.

[pinkbutterfly]

Great job everyone on your progress! It's definitely encouraging when we can look at our progress and see that we are moving in the right direction.

I realized just a few days ago, that I have made quite a bit of progress -- I had two very significant incidents happen in the past month - one was a sexual assault and the other was a significant person verbally attacking me and thus making a place I thought was safe for me not so much.
Six months ago...I would have landed in the hospital over the combination of difficult situations occur. But I didn't. I am actually continuing to move forward in spite of all of it. And when I realized that fact -- that I would have completely self destructed before over these - probably just over the assault...it shows a lot of growth and progress.

Slowly, I am able to not take on the blame of everything negative. I am learning to stand up for myself. Speak up for my needs. Wow...I am moving in the right direction finally.

[unlockingsanity]

I realize I'm improving when....

- previous issues no longer control every moment of my life
- less or no need to rely on self-harming behaviours
- less need to contact T in-between sessions
- being able to cope or go longer between sessions
- choosing to make positive changes in my life because I want change vs. giving excuses on why I couldn't change
- trusting my T and being more open in sessions
- asking the hard questions and making hard choices to further change
- less anxiety & depressive episodes
- having time pass quickly vs. feel like every day drags on

I know I've made progress because
1. I've gotten my life back. I'm not in my headspace all the time anymore.
2. I'm much more confident.
3. It may not always look like it, but I am much more stable than I used to be.
4. I make better choices on many different levels.

[HazelGirl]

1. I don't take anxiety medications hardly ever.
2. I can tolerate and manage my anxiety
3. I am happier
4. I can face and overcome difficult things
5. I am less fearful of the unknown
6. I am not helpless or powerless anymore
7. I understand myself much better

[stopdog]

I don't therapy has helped for what I went to a therapist for. Certainly not due to the first therapist I see. I think time and a couple of changes in circumstances have helped.

[unaluna]

My big problem is that recognizing my progress will usually lead me to destroy the progress in some way. Its scary to hold on to. Today we talked about how i never want to clean my house because i had this fantasy that then my mother would want to come see it. But that was a dumb fantasy because in 40 years my mother has never acknowledged any home of mine. Somehow its never been important. Im not sure if its her deal or mine, ie who started it. But i think its time for me to set down some roots!

[healingme4me]

I can tell I've made progress, when I can pinpoint feelings and more, in the moment, where I'd stuff them down before, and not understand my anger, depression, anxiety.
Even had one of those moments, today. It felt liberating, to just have one defining feeling, roll right off the tip of my tongue.
Leaves me in a position, to make a change, with full clarity.

Sent from my LG-MS910 using Tapatalk 2

[brillskep]

First of all, I want to say that i don't believe in ever "completing the work" - i believe personal growth is an ongoing, lifelong process.

I mostly use my behavior as an indicator of progress, because emotions are more ... open to interpretation, so to speak. Say I do something that I used to be afraid to do. Or I manage to do something in a healthier way than I used to, because now I think and feel differently.

Another indicator is my perception. There are things I used to tolerate years ago which now I don't accept. Now I see much more clearly when my personal boundaries are being intruded upon, than I used to years ago.

But basically all of the above can be described simply as being different (in a good way). I think that is progress.

i have recovered from anorexia. i hardly cut. my sociAl skills have greatly improved. i can do many things i used to be afraid of. i communicate better. i am brave. i habe self confidence now. i got promoted in my career. my feelings are more positive. i take much better care of myself.
and much more....

[SeekerOfLife]

I have really appreciated this thread, Teal. I know for one thing: I no longer see sui as an option. For me this is a huge step. Other things I continue to struggle with (the depression). I saw where someone said that when they are getting close to being done with therapy to let the therapist know. The client has to make the call/decision. I can really relate to not stopping suddenly. I believe that as a person starts to feel the need of therapy less, there should be a tapering off of therapy. Make sessions further apart.
Love this thread.