[SarahSweden]

I think it would be nice and interesting hearing about reasons for seeking therapy, I think that differs a lot between people.

The first time I went into therapy it was because of unemployment and difficult feelings around that, I also looked for a T because of relationship issues and loneliness. I´d felt stuck in life for a long time, feeling down and feeling unable to solve my situation and thought it would be good seeing a T.

The second time I went into therapy largely because of the same problems, adding more precise issues like bad self image, perfectionism, anxiety problems. I´ve been in that therapy for about 10 months now and hoping to be able to continue. I´m not sure as I´m within public health care and at the moment I don´t know if my T will stay employed at the clinic I´m at.

Why did you seek therapy and for how long? How many times have you been in therapy?

[speckofdust]

First round of therapy was to help deal with serious anger and frustration with my family.

Current therapist was sought out because of depression and anxiety. Lots of crying, sleeping, and isolating.

[QueenCopper]

I started therapy because of abuse issues. This is the third time I have been in therapy. The first time the therapist completely betrayed me and told my parents everything. I was over the age of 18 so I quit. I was in therapy because if my parents.

The second time was because of an assault and this time is to deal with all of the abuse that I did not deal with the first two times. I am still in therapy and it is not going well for me. My therapist is trying to get me to open up but honestly i suck at it. I avoid the subject and change the subject to keep from dealing with the emotions.

[ScarletPimpernel]

First time I went to therapy was for SI. I was diagnosed with depression. Second time was because I was homeless. I was diagnosed depression and possibly BPD. Third time because I locked myself in the house for 6 years and SUI. I was diagnosed with depression, BPD, and anxiety.

It started with bereavement, but suddenly a lifetime of pain and self-loathing emerged that couldn't just be put back in the box.

Severe depression and suicidality resulting from childhood sexual abuse has always been the root cause/need for my therapy.

I have been through long-term therapy 3 times. Once in my very early 20's (about 2 years), second time in my early 30's (about 2 years), final time in my 40's (about 10 years).

[ilikecats]

I've seen two therapists, and the first one was only for two sessions. The second one I'm still seeing, and we've been together about 13 months now. I'm in therapy for depression and anxiety. I first went because I was finally ready to deal with it, and I wanted to get help. Something that pushed me to get help was anxiety, and something I experienced that almost felt like a panic attack. It didn't work out with that T, and about four or five months later I looked for a T again and found my current T. The main reason I looked for a T again is because of my depression. It was just too much and I was sick of dealing with it on my own. Now I'm still in therapy because I still have depression and anxiety, and I also started self harming and having more suicidal thoughts.

[Myrto]

I was severely depressed, could barely get out of bed and finally I decided " what the hell, I'm going to give a shot at therapy". I had no idea what to expect, didn't have any preconceived notions about therapy. I just got a recommandation from my doctor for a female therapist. I gave her a call, set up an appointment and here I am 2 and a half years later.

[itjustis]

The first time around I was grieving...I was limited to 6 sessions.
This time round I was in a crisis. That crisis is over now but T and I clicked from day one and I trusted her that much I allowed myself to open up every inch of my past and I've been with her for nearly a year now.

[Waterbear]

Because I was on the verge of doing a runner from my life. I was inches away from just disappearing from my job, my husband and my remaining family and turning back to a life of drugs and crime. I couldn't see any other way until someone mentioned therapy and kept prodding and probing until eventually I made it to a session.

The reason? The death of my Mum and the resultant loss of everything I should have had growing up; the pain of the abuse I suffered that she should have known about and helped me with, the unfairness of all that she let happen between my brother and I, the secrets that would never be told, the fact that I hated parts of myself so much that I had banished them from my life etc etc etc.

I have known since I was 10 years old what I needed in order to 'heal' but I genuinely never believed it was possible and I cannot describe how much that hurt, believing that I would never experience that, how much it screwed me up and screwed all of my relationships up over the years, family, friends, colleagues, everyone.

But I am now experiencing that and I am starting to become whole again, properly, and that is quite amazing.

[precaryous]

This last round of therapy...initially, therapy was recommended by my bariatric doctor to deal with self image and food issues.
T and I decided to continue when I unwrapped my multiple trauma, depression, health and anxiety issues. I realized that T was a good therapist and I needed the extra support.

I don't know how I made it without support for fifteen years in between PrevT and CurrentT.

[Sarmas]

I thought about starting for mainly childhood abuse issues. Then I developed an eating disorder of which I wasn't quite aware of at the time. At the time my T was my professor which was prior to starting therapy. I thought that she was a good candidate. She introduced the class to the therpeutic world. She told us how she viewed her clients and touched upon some of her approaches in therapy. She spoke about inpatient and outpatient facilities and how they differ. As the class progressed i became more aware of my eating patterns and behaviors. I then realized that I considered to be normal wasn't. Once my class ended then I started to see her.

[bounceback]

Started therapy after being seen in the ER following a suicide attempt. My life was not working.

[clairelisbeth]

Anorexia, depression, anxiety and PTSD

[Argonautomobile]

I presented at the GP's office with suicidal ideation. I didn't know what I wanted, just that my life wasn't working. The office scheduled an appointment with a T for me, so I went. I'm grateful for that.

[growlycat]

When I was sixteen I brought a knife to school after being fed up with bullying. My friend turned me in to a teacher parents were called. That started regular therapy for me until a suicide attempt that same year that put me in intensive care then a series of hospitalizations. How things ever improved I really don't know. Therapy but also my hard work.

[stopdog]

I was feeling desperate because of a minor but persistent situation that made no sense logically and thought it might help. I know people who rave about it transforming their life.
I thought the woman might know something I had not thought of. It did not. She did not.

[junkDNA]

i wasnt initially. i was forced into it against my will

[Yoda]

I started therapy because I was being abused by my live-in BF/fiancee.

[Pennster]

I was kind of depressed and stuck the first time I went to therapy. This last time I was grieving and knew I could use help getting over a number of losses and traumatic experiences.

[Luce]

I have DID and we had some limited therapy as a child while in foster care. Then we were returned to the abusive home for many more years. One of us decided then that as soon as it was possible she would get away and seek help for us again.
So as soon as we were away from family we sought therapy. We were pretty scattered and broken.

To help me deal with the abuse I suffered as a child,self harm, suicidal thoughts and to help with my BPD. (not self harmed in over a year) I'm not in therapy anymore but I am pleased to say I am doing much better these days.
My ex T taught me coping strategies

[therapyishelping777]

anxiety , family of origin issues, and I finally sought out a psychodynamic after reading this book, "actually it is your parents fault" talking about how our childhood and the relationships we formed there shape us,. and how we pick relationships.. I really was picking all the wrong guys!!! and wanted to change that! Its completely working in every way!!

[AllHeart]

Originally Posted by SarahSweden

Why did you seek therapy and for how long? How many times have you been in therapy?

This is my 3rd round in therapy. 1st time in my early 20's for severe depression and sui wishes. Saw this t about 2 years, started antidepressants. At about age 30, saw the same t a 2nd for about a year for major depression and feeling lost in life. Upped meds. Mid-40's, started seeing a different therapist almost 3 years ago because I was stuck in life with no direction for the future. I was expecting to maybe be in therapy for less than a year. Thought I just needed a little push to get me back on track. Boy was I wrong. All kinds of deep rooted issues were unveiled. Meds were ineffective so I got off of them. I wound up taking a long trip to hell but I came out of it. Still climbing my way up, med free. If I continue on this path I'd say I have a year left, max (for real this time I hope!). Thanks for the thread!

[coolibrarian]

Originally Posted by SarahSweden

I think it would be nice and interesting hearing about reasons for seeking therapy, I think that differs a lot between people.

The first time I went into therapy it was because of unemployment and difficult feelings around that, I also looked for a T because of relationship issues and loneliness. I´d felt stuck in life for a long time, feeling down and feeling unable to solve my situation and thought it would be good seeing a T.

The second time I went into therapy largely because of the same problems, adding more precise issues like bad self image, perfectionism, anxiety problems. I´ve been in that therapy for about 10 months now and hoping to be able to continue. I´m not sure as I´m within public health care and at the moment I don´t know if my T will stay employed at the clinic I´m at.

Why did you seek therapy and for how long? How many times have you been in therapy?

I initially went into therapy because of many frustrations with my child, and then as therapy went along, I discovered that I had also been depressed for a very long time, plus anger, etc. I've only had 1 T, and I've been seeing her since 1989.