[Suraya]

I've been such a mess in therapy lately because my life is in complete upheaval. The problem is things keep getting worse and so do I and I'm afraid that she will get tired of me and/ or think she isn't helping me and ditch me. I couldn't take that. I can't even fake going in and pretending I'm okay because I'm not.

The other problem I'm having is that with so much piling up, the insurmountable stress is causing a lot of triggers and old stuff to surface, adding to all that's occurring currently. It almost feels pointless at this point to go in for 50 minutes once a week and try to work through all this muck. It's like I feel worse when I leave because I've opened up a wound again or something. I don't know - it just sucks to have so much crap and to not be able to do anything about it but cry all day. How do you pick what to work on with T and what will help the most? Often I'm just quiet because it just seems so overwhelming.

[atisketatasket]

I am in the same boat with things piling up - five major stressors in the past two months alone.

It is overwhelming. My reaction has been to feel like I need therapy less and want to go less - I mean, what's the point? I just want to withdraw. But this is a bad idea. Keep going.

I pick whatever crisis is most immediate (they all have a tendency to update themselves regularly) and discuss that.

[ilikecats]

I'm sorry you're dealing with all of this. I also feel afraid that my T will get tired of me and leave me. Maybe you can pick what you want to work on with your T by seeing what is the most pressing/immediate topic, or go by whatever is bothering you the most. Or maybe just write down each topic and pick one randomly from a hat. Also, maybe tell your T about how you're feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

[nottrustin]

How long have you been seeing your T? I would tell her that you are feeling overwhelmed by everything that is going on in your life. Recently I contacted T and told her that I was overwhelmed by my life and how I was feeling. For many people the holidays are difficult so when you add it to other life stresses it can be too much. T should be able to help you work through that. I can't imagine a T for dropping a client for being overwhelmed. T and I are starting to see each other more often for this very reason.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

I am also in the same boat. I have all of this stuff adding up and with the holidays its making it worse. I have been having thoughts (today actually) about not going to therapy because I feel so hopeless and an hour every three weeks is not enough. I know I need to be in therapy though. I know its hard with so much being overwhelming but I pick what is the biggest issue I am having at the moment and talk about that. Then if there is more time I can mention something else. My T also lets me email and I can talk more about what is going on and it helps. Can you email your T and talk more about what is going on? Could you ask her about email? You could also journal and write down stuff and read it or have her read it in a session. I hope things get better for you.

[Suraya]

I'm sorry others are feeling so overwhelmed right now, too. The holidays on top of everything certainly doesn't help. I can't email T but I definitely should tell her next session that I am feeling overwhelmed - though I think she knows. Since June I've cycled in and out of severe depression with suicidal thoughts. While I do want to withdraw and 'make it all go away', I know I need therapy. During the day while I try to forget about everything and avoid it all, it's eating away in my subconscious. Then, at night, my brain processes it all and makes these lists of sorts as if it won't let me forget - forcing me to keep it all there until I work on it. I can't even get a reprieve while sleeping. When I tell T there's so much going on and she says tell me, I freeze and don't know what to say or where to start.