Couch 246: Choose Change

ArtieTheSequal · 08:25 PM

Ok so doc wants to prescribe buspirone (never been on that) or sertraline (because I was on that in the past), he gave me some literature to read and told me to think about it and let him know. After my appt next week where i'll address the heart rate thing, i'll be better able to decide what i want to do i think.

not gonna read it yet though. therapy hangover in full swing. raw/emotional session this afternoon; must go watch mindless television for awhile while it processes.

zoiecat · Nov 03, 2023 at 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtieTheSequal

Ok so doc wants to prescribe buspirone (never been on that) or sertraline (because I was on that in the past), he gave me some literature to read and told me to think about it and let him know. After my appt next week where i'll address the heart rate thing, i'll be better able to decide what i want to do i think.

not gonna read it yet though. therapy hangover in full swing. raw/emotional session this afternoon; must go watch mindless television for awhile while it processes.

I take 3 - 10 mg tablets of buspirone a day. I love it. I also take Lexapro, and Lamictal. I am drugged up and still have major depression, but I am on an even keel which is better than I have been my entire life.

atisketatasket · Nov 03, 2023 at 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unaluna

There was a time i thought you were a shadow SD account.

I say dear lord, not good lord.

The devil’s in the details.

ArtieTheSequal · Nov 04, 2023 at 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoiecat

I take 3 - 10 mg tablets of buspirone a day. I love it. I also take Lexapro, and Lamictal. I am drugged up and still have major depression, but I am on an even keel which is better than I have been my entire life.

Thank you for sharing, zoiecat.

stopdog · Nov 05, 2023 at 10:42 AM

When did they start playing nfl games at 8:30 am? I woke up and my girlfriend had a football game on

LonesomeTonight · Nov 05, 2023 at 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stopdog

When did they start playing nfl games at 8:30 am? I woke up and my girlfriend had a football game on

They're playing a game in Frankfurt this morning (I'm watching, too). Part of their whole "trying to spread the NFL popularity around the world" thing. Had a few London games last month (my team was in one). Think this is their first time in Germany. They did Mexico last year (maybe?), but that wasn't a morning game.

There has been talk of having the Super Bowl in another country, but that just seems stupid to me.

NP_Complete · Nov 05, 2023 at 03:02 PM

P is taking another week off this week starting Wednesday. It wasn't unplanned or a surprise to me but he recently told me that the reason he's taking it off is because he is putting his dog down this weekend (

RIP O) and he wanted some time alone to be sad. I've been thinking about him all weekend knowing how hard this is for him. We're supposed to meet on Monday and Tuesday. I feel kind of weird coming in to talk to him knowing he's going through this right now. I keep thinking maybe it'll be a distraction for him. I don't know whether to say anything else to him, especially given our latest troubles which seem to have been instigated by my desire to be friends with him. I brought in some doggie cupcakes to give her at our last session. I hope that wasn't too friendly, but in my defense, they were for his dog, who I have met on multiple occasions, not him.

NP_Complete · Nov 05, 2023 at 03:03 PM

I hope you're doing okay @ScarletPimpernel.

ArtieTheSequal · 05:40 PM

it's so hard when they tell us personal stuff like that NP.

LonesomeTonight · Nov 05, 2023 at 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NP_Complete

P is taking another week off this week starting Wednesday. It wasn't unplanned or a surprise to me but he recently told me that the reason he's taking it off is because he is putting his dog down this weekend (

RIP O) and he wanted some time alone to be sad. I've been thinking about him all weekend knowing how hard this is for him. We're supposed to meet on Monday and Tuesday. I feel kind of weird coming in to talk to him knowing he's going through this right now. I keep thinking maybe it'll be a distraction for him. I don't know whether to say anything else to him, especially given our latest troubles which seem to have been instigated by my desire to be friends with him. I brought in some doggie cupcakes to give her at our last session. I hope that wasn't too friendly, but in my defense, they were for his dog, who I have met on multiple occasions, not him.

I understand how this is difficult. But Dr. T would say that it's your T's choice to still meet with you. If he didn't feel in a place to do so or wanted to take the time to mourn his dog before Wednesday, he'd have done that. I agree that it's probably a distraction and may actually be helpful for him in that way.

Maybe you could say something like, "I feel like I should say something about your dog, but I also know you don't like talking about personal stuff, so..." Or just "I'm sorry about your dog. I imagine you don't want to talk about it more, but i just wanted to mention it." That way, it's not just sort of hanging out there.

Or, for the first thing I mentioned, "I feel sort of bad meeting you with you after what happened with your dog, but I know it was your choice to meet with me, so I assume it's OK." (Maybe worded a bit better than that!)

Hope your sessions go well and are helpful.

stopdog · Nov 05, 2023 at 08:47 PM

I think one could just say sorry about your dog when walking out at the end. I doon't think there is any reason to call attention to "I imagine you don't want to talk about it...." or "I know you don't..." = that to me is bonking into a boundary you know is set and sounds like trying to get the therapist into that discussion.

atisketatasket · Nov 05, 2023 at 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stopdog

When did they start playing nfl games at 8:30 am? I woke up and my girlfriend had a football game on

Wow, I didn’t think ex-hankster woke up that early.

unaluna · Nov 05, 2023 at 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

Wow, I didn’t think ex-hankster woke up that early.

I KNEW there was a joke there!

Possible trigger:

I just couldnt put my finger on it! It was on the tip of my tongue!

stopdog · Nov 05, 2023 at 10:31 PM

Oh you two

atisketatasket · Nov 05, 2023 at 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stopdog

Oh you two

Admit it, we make your life more interesting.

unaluna · Nov 06, 2023 at 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

Admit it, we make your life more interesting.

Its funny cuz its true. I dont usually wake up that early.

Lemoncake · Nov 06, 2023 at 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NP_Complete

P is taking another week off this week starting Wednesday. It wasn't unplanned or a surprise to me but he recently told me that the reason he's taking it off is because he is putting his dog down this weekend (

RIP O) and he wanted some time alone to be sad. I've been thinking about him all weekend knowing how hard this is for him. We're supposed to meet on Monday and Tuesday. I feel kind of weird coming in to talk to him knowing he's going through this right now. I keep thinking maybe it'll be a distraction for him. I don't know whether to say anything else to him, especially given our latest troubles which seem to have been instigated by my desire to be friends with him. I brought in some doggie cupcakes to give her at our last session. I hope that wasn't too friendly, but in my defense, they were for his dog, who I have met on multiple occasions, not him.

If he offered and you want the session you should take it NP.

You don't need to justify the cupcakes either. It's a cute touch.

stopdog · Nov 06, 2023 at 11:24 AM

From what I have read, explaining gifts can come up in a lot of therapy. While not all gifts are a problem, and small homemade baked goods are common and not often a big deal - they can be.

" Many if not most authors seem to agree that a gift in psychotherapy requires the therapist to express genuine appreciation and gratitude and, when appropriate, to also explore the meaning and conscious or unconscious intent of the gift with the client (Knox, et. al. 2003)"
Gifts in Psychotherapy and Counseling, by Ofer Zur, Ph.D.

LonesomeTonight · Nov 06, 2023 at 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stopdog

From what I have read, explaining gifts can come up in a lot of therapy. While not all gifts are a problem, and small homemade baked goods are common and not often a big deal - they can be.

" Many if not most authors seem to agree that a gift in psychotherapy requires the therapist to express genuine appreciation and gratitude and, when appropriate, to also explore the meaning and conscious or unconscious intent of the gift with the client (Knox, et. al. 2003)"
Gifts in Psychotherapy and Counseling, by Ofer Zur, Ph.D.

This rings true for me. I have given Dr. T exactly 1 gift in 6 years (and nothing to ex-MC--he had a stated no-gift policy--or ex-T), and we spent time discussing it both in the session I gave it to him and for parts of a couple other sessions, months later. Including where he opted to place the item in his office. It was for a 5-year therapy anniversary and cost under $25 (I figured $5/year wasn't much of anything).

Honestly, in retrospect, I probably should have just gone with the thank-you note that went with it. As he seemed to appreciate that the most. Or just given him chocolate or a cupcake (store-bought, as I have never made candy and can't bake--though I can cook! A risotto seems like an odd gift though).

NP_Complete · Nov 06, 2023 at 01:01 PM

If you buy into that love languages thing, I'm pretty sure one of mine is giving gifts. Not necessarily receiving gifts, although a thoughtful gift is nice now and again. I've given small gifts over the years: some mandarins at Christmas, a cupcake near his birthday, some origami I made, homemade dog treats for his dog, a pretty rock I found. Hope he doesn't think I'm a weirdo.

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Couch 246: Choose Change

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stopdog underdog is here Member Since Sep 2011 Location: blank Posts: 34,831 (SuperPoster!) 12 1 hugs given	Nov 05, 2023 at 10:42 AM #245 When did they start playing nfl games at 8:30 am? I woke up and my girlfriend had a football game on __________________ Please NO @ Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. Oscar Wilde Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.

NP_Complete Grand Magnate Member Since Feb 2017 Location: the upside down Posts: 3,836 7 6,374 hugs given	Nov 05, 2023 at 03:03 PM #248 I hope you're doing okay @ScarletPimpernel.

ArtieTheSequal Writing my way through... Member Since Feb 2020 Location: In the desert Posts: 7,398 (SuperPoster!) 4 5,858 hugs given	Nov 05, 2023 at 03:21 PM #249 it's so hard when they tell us personal stuff like that NP. Last edited by ArtieTheSequal; Nov 05, 2023 at 05:40 PM..

stopdog underdog is here Member Since Sep 2011 Location: blank Posts: 34,831 (SuperPoster!) 12 1 hugs given	Nov 05, 2023 at 10:31 PM #254 Oh you two __________________ Please NO @ Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. Oscar Wilde Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.