[SweetCrusader]

...do you start to feel numb? Do you find it harder to prepare emotionally for therapy, and to connect when you get there?

How do you combat numbness?

I want to care about therapy (with my long-time T, not that new one that's all touchy-feely)... but I don't. And that is really, really, REALLY scary to me.

The last time T went on vacation the first week was really hard for me. I was a total mess. Crying, feeling like he was gone forever, the whole bit.

The second week I became completely numb. It was like I didn't even have a therapist anymore. I supposed I was protecting myself from the pain. I don't think it's a terrible thing to feel numb as long as you process it with your T when he/she returns.

If you feel like numb and you feel like you don't care about therapy right now, then just let it be. Don't try to change those feelings. They are yours. That's something I'm learning in therapy right now. It's basically called-- that's where I'm at. So that's where you're at right now. And that's okay.

im usually more detached.. i have alot inside but talk about surface stuff during session. i worry allot.

[ECHOES]

I agree with pink, don't try to fight the feelings. Keep exploring them, like you are now. You realize that feeling 'numb' is scary to you, keep going and see if you can see more about why that's scary to you, what thoughts you have that.

Even seeing my T once a week, there are times I feel 'numb' or distanced between sessions. I don't try to fight it or do anything with it, but I can become worried that it means I'm not focused enough on therapy.

I also notice I'm much less anxious these days and I wonder if I 'miss' that and might confuse feeling calmer with feeling 'numb' or distanced.

Thanks for a stimulating post!

[MissCharlotte]

I found it very difficult to maintain the connection between sessions at first. After the first year I began seeing T twice a week. Now, I find it more manageable.

Some things that might help: Journaling, writing letters to T in between sessions, reading your journal and having "conversations" with T in your head!

Best of luck. The numb feeling you describe is very disconcerting. ((((hugs))))

Peace

[Kiya]

i have different stuff come up - mostly SI. New T travels some so we'll cross that road when we get there. I told her in my last email that Si tends to happen when i miss a week (in response to her creating a session time for me after the holiday when we didn't have one). This time it is 9 days instead of 7 in between, but i don't think it is enough to trigger SI... i am hoping anyway.
kiya

[Perna]

I treat the numbness like I do novacaine after a dentist appointment? It's very "real" and there but doesn't mean much. Take its dimension but just realize that when your T comes back so, probably, will your "normal" feelings.

[dinosaurs]

yes, i go numb too. I have found that the nothingness comes on when I have stressors I can't cope with. In the past that used to be a lot of things. Nowadays it is usually only when a few big things hit me at once. And a t going away on a break, or having a long time between sessions is a big thing.

When it happens to me, firstly I need to accept it. Fighting it builds anxiety or worsens it. Then I need to recognise that stressors are causing it. Work out which parts are stressed and why. Figure out ways to comfort and soothe those parts to reassure them. Then listen to them.

Having said all that, I am currently numb and avoiding the feelings as much as I can. Knowing what I can do and actually doing it are very different things indeed.

The other thing to remember is that no feelings last forever, not even numbness or nothingness. It will pass.

Sending you warm thoughts to help defrost the numbness.