[WrkNPrgress]

I have a feeling I'm not alone in this. How many member might consider themselves somewhat obsessed with their own therapy? Whether it be the therapist, the process, the issues at hand, or talking about it here?

It's interesting to me. I've always had an analytical mind and I love to pick apart the process on anything... creative or process-orientated. Now I'm always thinking about therapy, how it works, if it works, what it does for others, etc.

I don't know if this is a good thing or not because instead of working on myself, my own issues— I'm rehearsing what I would say about them in therapy. It seems like I'm more focused on the process instead of the thing I should be processing? Is it just another defense mechanism?

Or is that the same thing in a different way? Is it just a round about way to think about my own stuff— by thinking about talking about my own stuff?

Okay now I feel a bit crazy. Anyone else wonder about this?

Yes, though it's due to anxiety. I think a lot about anything I'm afraid of, or are afraid of losing.

I also feed off of others' anxious posts here, which makes me ruminate even more.

[rainbow8]

I'm the same way. I've obsessed about therapy, my Ts, and the therapeutic process ever since I began therapy. I understand how you feel exactly! I don't know how to stop doing it! At least I never have the urge to skip sessions! The process fascinates me.

[WrkNPrgress]

Originally Posted by Clementine K

Yes, though it's due to anxiety. I think a lot about anything I'm afraid of, or are afraid of losing.

I also feed off of others' anxious posts here, which makes me ruminate even more.

This, exactly. I've found myself avoiding some posts here if I sense an overwhelming negativity in them. I don't need to think of more reasons to be Self-conscious or suspicious in my own sessions.

I'm not obsessed, but its an important part of my life.

[SoupDragon]

I was quite "obsessed" early on in therapy and posted a lot on here. Now although it is still a big part of my life, it doesn't totally take over everything like it used to.

I think finding it interesting is a good thing and acts to keep that engagement in trying to improve life's experience.

[Soccer mom]

Yes, I could put myself in this category. However, my T. has also told me several times that 75% of the processing happens outside of the sessions. So, while you might think you are obsessing, maybe you're also processing. If I didn't think about it, I wouldn't have as many realizations to take into therapy the next session.

I definitely process/obsess more some weeks than others depending on the topic/my schedule/my mood. Unfortunately, I think it's all part of it especially as you are moving through difficult topics.

I think less about it now. I don't bother reading books about it.
But, I too like to think, so for me it's like my favourite past time. I could spend forever in therapy. Conversing with a knowledgeable 'other' rings my bell.

[wheeler]

Yes, I definitely do obsess over it, and I am fascinated, and exhausted, and overwhelmed by it all. Although I must say that since the beginning of this year my obsessive thoughts have changed, and lessened. I have even willingly missed sessions and been relatively normal about it.
I'm assuming the change is because I'm feeling much more secure about my relationship with my T. We have been thru alot, as I've seen her for 5 years now, but only now have actually felt such a good shift.

[stopdog]

I don't think it unusual to try and figure out that which those people are so secretive and wily about.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by Soccer mom

Yes, I could put myself in this category. However, my T. has also told me several times that 75% of the processing happens outside of the sessions. So, while you might think you are obsessing, maybe you're also processing. If I didn't think about it, I wouldn't have as many realizations to take into therapy the next session.

I definitely process/obsess more some weeks than others depending on the topic/my schedule/my mood. Unfortunately, I think it's all part of it especially as you are moving through difficult topics.

I completely agree about the processing happening outside of sessions. The other day, I e-mailed my T about a thought I had on the car ride home after my session with her that day--she said I have very productive car rides! And that we'd put that topic on the list for next time. Driving (by myself) and showering tend to be when the biggest revelations come to me for some reason.

I've always been an overanalyzer, so it makes sense that I would be analyzing my therapy! Though I've had therapy in the past, but I don't remember thinking about it nearly as much as I have in the past year or so. Maybe partly because I'm seeing two therapists (T and marriage counselor) now, so I'm doing more talking and thinking than in the past, when I just saw one person. Of course, the transference probably has something to do with it, too...

[Coco3]

Therapy is a huge part of my life. Sometimes it's all I talk, think and read about. So yeah, you can call me obsessed from time to time.

I find it quit interesting too. The whole client-therapist relationship, the attachment, how a session effects me for days or sometimes even weeks, techniques my T uses, all that kind of stuff. In fact, I've planned on talking about it in session tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Soccer mom

However, my T. has also told me several times that 75% of the processing happens outside of the sessions. So, while you might think you are obsessing, maybe you're also processing. If I didn't think about it, I wouldn't have as many realizations to take into therapy the next session.

Thank you for this, it's very reassuring to me. Like this forum has been - wish I found out about it a year ago. I can relate to so much everyone is saying here. I'm not in group therapy, I don't know anyone else who is in therapy. So this forum has helped me see that the things I think and feel are okay and normal.

[Suraya]

Yes, I definitely obsess about it - to different degrees and about different things depending on what'd going on in my life. Like currenly T will be leaving for three weeks so now I'm feeling that loss coming up and the neediness for her, while when she's here and I get steady weekly appointments that dependency isn't so great. If I'm in a really depressed place I obsess about what I need to be saying and rehearse what I need to be doing and working at to get out of that place. So it varies depending on where I'm at with things.

I think I was the first time through many moons ago, but I haven't been for a long time. Interested in therapy in general; obsessed with my own, not for many years.

I didn't totally understand all that, but thanks for making me smile. I wouldn't say I obsess about my therapy, but I just started going about 4-5 months ago after no therapy for years. I am making some good progress, so if I thought I was going to have to stop really soon, I'd be unhappy about it.

Do you know what your MTBI type is? Just curious.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by jo_thorne

I didn't totally understand all that, but thanks for making me smile. I wouldn't say I obsess about my therapy, but I just started going about 4-5 months ago after no therapy for years. I am making some good progress, so if I thought I was going to have to stop really soon, I'd be unhappy about it.

Do you know what your MTBI type is? Just curious.

I assume you were asking OP, but mine is INFP. What about everyone else?

[nervous puppy]

I don't know if we can call it "obsessed" since that has such a negative connotation.
For me personally, I thought about my T and every session all the time. I didn't find PC until I lost her and started with a new T. I wish I had found this place years ago! Therapy would have been different with old T! This place has really opened my eyes and helped me realize I'm not alone, many others have gone through the same thing, my feelings are "the norm" and I'm not some sort of freak of nature. I'm learning so much about therapy and how to use it to get more out of it. I didn't know squat before. It empowers me to be more in charge of my own therapy rather than expecting my T to be in charge.
If you aren't thinking about therapy in between sessions, then how do you expect it to help make the changes you want to make in yourself?
If the thinking about it too much turns into something negative in your life and causes more harm than good, then maybe you can call it "obsession".
Just my 2 cents, thoughts, ramblings...

I went through a period (more than once!) where I was absolutely obsessed with therapy and t both. It was crazy-making. I am fascinated with the "process" and the fact that it has worked so well for me. I have started attending monthly lectures about Jungian Psychology, to feed my fascination. If I were younger (and had more money lol) I would have already gone back to school to study psychology.

[ragsnfeathers]

When I'm in therapy I have a lot of conversations in my head with therapist a of a the a moment and I'm constantly low level thinking of therapist. This time around I'm anxious about making it work so I'm constantly trying to put it into action and milk each session for knights. I think I'm trying to force things. I'm also fascinated by the process. And between sessions I try to figure out the opposite of what T said so I can get both sides. Finally, this time I find myself anxious that my therapy will be diverted into issues T thinks are important and not my goals. One thing I decided today is to put limits on my PC time so therapy isn't my main interest. That would be a little too meta for me.

[iheartjacques]

I like to know I'm not the only one stewing in my own juices and try to pull myself together.

[Coco3]

Originally Posted by LonesomeTonight

I assume you were asking OP, but mine is INFP. What about everyone else?

I didn't know what it was, but I looked it up and took the test. Mine is ESFP. Not very clearly though, three out of four are almost in the middle. Only F (feeling) was a 100%.

[Partless]

Somebody once said that therapy is religion for the secular people. Maybe it is. But it's also a science so that's why we can take it apart. We can look behind the curtain and figure stuff out. So the process itself is no longer mysterious. Or not too mysterious. I find that many people spend as much time on the content as much as on how therapy works. In a way it's unavoidable. But can be maddening.

[Crescent Moon]

Maybe not for all of us... but particularly those of us who live in our heads.. I think obsessing about therapy is part of the process. The more your issues resolve.. that will subside. I remember my therapist telling me early on "I'll know you're getting better when you get to busy for me.".

[Soccer mom]

Originally Posted by Partless

Somebody once said that therapy is religion for the secular people. Maybe it is. But it's also a science so that's why we can take it apart. We can look behind the curtain and figure stuff out. So the process itself is no longer mysterious. Or not too mysterious. I find that many people spend as much time on the content as much as on how therapy works. In a way it's unavoidable. But can be maddening.

My T. has actually asked me to stop thinking about how therapy works and reading books and deal with my feelings.

[stopdog]

I do not do well when someone tells me not to think about how something works. I need to know how it works so I know what is going on. Them telling to stop gaining knowledge on how it works and what they are doing is not something I would agree to do - I did not agree to do it and in fact got a second one to explain how it worked on top of the books and classes I took.
It is all too convenient for them to keep clients in the dark. So I do not look at it as obsessing, I look at it as good self care and taking reasonable steps to not put myself in danger.