[Soccer mom]

I have anxiety every session until about halfway through when I finally relax. I think the anxiety is one thing that prevents me from crying.

Is there anything over the counter that others take for anxiety to take the edge off? I have a friend who takes benedryl but I'm worried I would be so tired the rest of the day.

Maybe I could express and feel more of my emotions if the anxiety wasn't there....

[PinkFlamingo99]

I don't think I could focus or even stay awake if I took Benadryl before therapy. Any way you could get something prescription? It would be better than self-medicating.

[LonesomeTonight]

I would say Benadryl, but that makes me incredibly sleepy too. Maybe the Dramamine less-drowsy formula? I know that made me feel less anxious on a flight a few years ago--had Xanax with me but didn't take them. Not sure if it will work for you like it does for me.
Of course, there's always having a beer or glass of wine...
If you're considering prescription, maybe try beta blockers? I've heard they can help without having some of the concerns that benzos do.

[Soccer mom]

If I have alcohol, I'll have to use the bathroom through my session. LOL I had wine once but was more social than digging deep.

[PinkFlamingo99]

I had half a Benadryl at work once and fell asleep on my desk! Doesn't seem like you'd get much out of a session in that state anyway.

[Angelique67]

Maybe Valerian?

[ScarletPimpernel]

Maybe try aromatherapy? Smell chamomile, lavendar, ylang-ylang. Aveeno actually makes a lotion for stress with those scents. Drink a hot beverage (tea, hot chocolate) beforehand. Do deep breathing. Listen to relaxing music. I like to play games on my phone right before session to calm me.

[LesFleursDuMal]

I have exactly the same problem, so it's also very hard for me to talk and express myself freely. Earlier this year, when I got tired of this, I started taking pills before my session but it was worse because I was so tired I counldn't even stay focused, so I stoped. I talked to my therapist about this anxiety, and trying to take it away, and he said it would actually be better to focus on it and see where it's from. He said anxiety was caused by all of those things that want to get out except I try to keep them in. Does that make sense ?

So I think you should do that too : try to see what's causing this anxiety, accepting it, and see what happens...

[Soccer mom]

My therapist asked what I'm scared of. I was perplexed in that I didn't feel like I was afraid of anything. And, I still can't pinpoint it. I rarely have anxiety but I do every single session. I have maternal transference towards her and expressing my feelings around my mom wasn't welcome or would have a bad outcome. So, I think it's around that. She's assured/reminded me that she's not my mom and won't react in the same way but my body doesn't seem to get the message. So, I thought about trying something to take the edge off.

[musinglizzy]

I know it's a prescription, but I have Xanax for anxiety. But I make a point not to take it before my session, as I don't want her to see me altered in any way (although I work on Xanax...1mg is ok, 2mg if I want to pass out!) But I can also let loose and cry. I'd think on the Xanax I wouldn't care enough to cry. It's not true for me, but a friend of mine who takes it says she can take one, and her house can be on fire, and she just won't care. LOL I wish that worked for me! (I switched to Xanax from a couple years on Valium, which only gave me weird dreams)

[stopdog]

The one I see used to tell me to get xanax from a friend (I don't know if my friends take it or not - the woman seems to think almost everyone takes xanax) or have a drink before appointments. I finally figured out a way to not show the anxiety at appointments. It is still there, but I don't show the woman. She was useless at anything other than trying to drug it away.
In general I find meditation often helps me relax but it would not make it so I could cry if that was what I was after. If I was going to drug myself, I would smoke part of a joint.

[LonesomeTonight]

I second the aromatherapy--they sell essential oil blends that you can roll on your wrist and neck. Or maybe try a little meditation/breathing exercises in the car before you go in?

[Soccer mom]

I've tried relaxing/deep breathing/etc. before going in and I guess I'm too wound up.

[PinkFlamingo99]

Originally Posted by stopdog

The one I see used to tell me to get xanax from a friend (I don't know if my friends take it or not - the woman seems to think almost everyone takes xanax) or have a drink before appointments. I finally figured out a way to not show the anxiety at appointments. It is still there, but I don't show the woman. She was useless at anything other than trying to drug it away.
In general I find meditation often helps me relax but it would not make it so I could cry if that was what I was after. If I was going to drug myself, I would smoke part of a joint.

I'd smoke a joint too.

[Perna]

Originally Posted by Soccer mom

My therapist asked what I'm scared of. I was perplexed in that I didn't feel like I was afraid of anything. And, I still can't pinpoint it. I rarely have anxiety but I do every single session. I have maternal transference towards her and expressing my feelings around my mom wasn't welcome or would have a bad outcome. So, I think it's around that. She's assured/reminded me that she's not my mom and won't react in the same way but my body doesn't seem to get the message. So, I thought about trying something to take the edge off.

I think the edginess is being helpful and I would keep working on what is causing it and how I could help myself with it and/or ignore it. So you're anxious, so what? Your therapist doesn't need to reassure you that she is not your mom, you need to see that yourself, internally. Find/start to notice incidents where she responds differently than your mom responded or how you expected her to respond. Having a growing pool of good memories to draw on will make you braver and the anxiety won't be there anymore. Just masking/blunting it won't help it, the cause will still just be there. It is showing itself because it wants to be worked with.

[Virginia1991]

I had this for awhile. I would drink two beers before session. But, my bladder is small and I would always have to get up and go to the bathroom during session :-/ she thought I was avoiding difficult topics but it was because I really had to go. I was never brave enough to tell her I drank before session. Afraid of her reaction I guess. The good thing is I don't have to do that any more. I have settled down.

[musinglizzy]

Originally Posted by stopdog

The one I see used to tell me to get xanax from a friend (I don't know if my friends take it or not - the woman seems to think almost everyone takes xanax) or have a drink before appointments. I finally figured out a way to not show the anxiety at appointments. It is still there, but I don't show the woman. She was useless at anything other than trying to drug it away.
In general I find meditation often helps me relax but it would not make it so I could cry if that was what I was after. If I was going to drug myself, I would smoke part of a joint.

Wow...nothing like suggesting a client break the law! Yikes!

[JustShakey]

Frankincense oil is great for anxiety. I like Galbanum too, and lavender is popular... Carry a little bottle with you and take a whiff right before you go into session. Put some on your wrists if you like and you can sniff during session too (I put galbanum on my wrists for my sessions).
(I'm at work writing up a newsletter on this stuff. Good timing with that question SM)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[musinglizzy]

Originally Posted by JustShakey

Frankincense oil is great for anxiety. I like Galbanum too, and lavender is popular... Carry a little bottle with you and take a whiff right before you go into session. Put some on your wrists if you like and you can sniff during session too.
(I'm at work writing up a newsletter on this stuff. Good timing with that question SM)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I LOVE lavender. I'll actually dab some under my nose....so the smell is always there.

[Soccer mom]

Originally Posted by Perna

I think the edginess is being helpful and I would keep working on what is causing it and how I could help myself with it and/or ignore it. So you're anxious, so what? Your therapist doesn't need to reassure you that she is not your mom, you need to see that yourself, internally. Find/start to notice incidents where she responds differently than your mom responded or how you expected her to respond. Having a growing pool of good memories to draw on will make you braver and the anxiety won't be there anymore. Just masking/blunting it won't help it, the cause will still just be there. It is showing itself because it wants to be worked with.

I've read that being anxious can block feelings. And, I tend not to feel as much in my session. I guess I was hoping if I could get rid of the shaky feeling, I could relax and be more myself.

I know why I have the anxiety but can't shake it (no pun intended).

[Lauliza]

Originally Posted by Perna

I think the edginess is being helpful and I would keep working on what is causing it and how I could help myself with it and/or ignore it. So you're anxious, so what? Your therapist doesn't need to reassure you that she is not your mom, you need to see that yourself, internally. Find/start to notice incidents where she responds differently than your mom responded or how you expected her to respond. Having a growing pool of good memories to draw on will make you braver and the anxiety won't be there anymore. Just masking/blunting it won't help it, the cause will still just be there. It is showing itself because it wants to be worked with.

You make a great point and a lot of the time this is true. There are some people however (me being one), where the anxiety is so strong and so chronic that it gets in the way of progress. When this is he case it really helps to have something. Yoga can help me in the moment but once it's over, the anxiety comes back. Aromatherapy is the same. I usually take 1/2 mg klonopin, but if I had a joint I'd prefer that.

[LindaLu]

Some people use hibiscus tincture in water. If not, valerian tablet or Calming Tea by...forget, maybe Bigelow?

[JustShakey]

Originally Posted by Soccer mom

I've read that being anxious can block feelings. And, I tend not to feel as much in my session. I guess I was hoping if I could get rid of the shaky feeling, I could relax and be more myself.

I know why I have the anxiety but can't shake it (no pun intended).

Lol! I can't shake it either - it shakes me. Literally

[JustShakey]

Originally Posted by LindaLu

Some people use hibiscus tincture in water. If not, valerian tablet or Calming Tea by...forget, maybe Bigelow?

Celestial Seasonings. I like their Tension Tamer tea.

[rainbow8]

I don't have a specific answer but want to tell you that I'm usually anxious during the first half of my session too. My T has me close my eyes and "find my place of landing." I'm used to deep breathing from yoga, DBT, and from 5 years with my T, but I'm still anxious.

I wonder if my feeling last week was merely extreme anxiety and not fear. Are you afraid too? Of what? Fear and anxiety are similar but not quite the same.

My T seems to agree with whoever posted that the anxiety in therapy is worthy of discussing. She thinks the relationship between us, and my reactions to her, are important. More grist for the mill, as she puts it.