Opening Up In Therapy Sessions----Courage Needed!!!

<font color="blue">Hi guys.

I've been in therapy for about 18 months. I've got Panic Disorder (which is better), and about 7 months ago, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). I'm also ADHD, which doesn't mix well with GAD. I don't have Agoraphobia as a part of the anxiety diagnosis...So relatively recently, I've been having these depressive symptoms that I don't want to take over and become something like Major Depressive Disorder or Dysthymia. I've been able to calm down enough to speak with my therapist somewhat productively, but lately, I've been insomniac, and I also hardly ever leave the house. I want to talk about my depressive feelings and anxiety with my T, but I've always found it really difficult to talk about my symptoms of depression or anxiety with anyone. I'm not sure why exactly.

So, how do you guys do it? I want to make the best of my sessions with T. I like my T.... I just need to be able to open up more than I have been previously. How do I grow the courage like you guys have???????????? Thanks. </font>

(((((((((((( max ))))))))))))))

When I have a hard time opening up about something, we usually talk about that feeling ...I tell him that I'm having a hard time opening up, and he asks me questions about it, and a lot of times, just talking about talking about it makes it seem easier to just blurt out whatever it is I wanted to say.

It's hard, though.

Are you worried about T judging you?? Or is it something else?

Max, its not our courage that will lead you, but the trust you build within your own therapy, you will find your own courage within your own journey, give time time.

I agree with Mouse. I think opening up requires the ability to push yourself out of your comfort zone is necessary and a skilled T who know how to build trust is really important. I'm still a work in progress in the trust area but there has definitely been progress.

It will happen in it's own time. It will come as your trust and comfort grow. You work on that as you go, just like you are.

Like the "Cowardly Lion" in the Wizard of Oz, you have the courage already; you've had it all along. It will become available to you as your therapy progresses.

I don't have any advise, ' cause I sound just like you. Lots of similarities...insomnia, would like to talk to T about things but can't etc etc.. I guess it just takes time. Sometimes I feel like I'll never get there, but a lifetime of habits must take a long time to relearn.

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earthmama said:

(((((((((((( max ))))))))))))))

When I have a hard time opening up about something, we usually talk about that feeling ...I tell him that I'm having a hard time opening up, and he asks me questions about it, and a lot of times, just talking about talking about it makes it seem easier to just blurt out whatever it is I wanted to say.

It's hard, though.

Are you worried about T judging you?? Or is it something else?

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<font color="blue">Hi earthmama, thanks for the advice. I appreciate it

That's a good question to ask---- I've read that a lot of people, especially after you've been in therapy longer and built a level of trust~~find it difficult to open up with their T as they are afraid of disappointing him/her. I'm not sure if that is me in this case or not. I've been with my T about 18 months, but since I'm that way with everybody, I think it is more than just being afraid of disappointing my T. It's really got me confused. I find it hard to say "T, I'm having a hard time opening up" Last time was the best I ever did, and I told him that I needed to talk about my anxiety problems (but I didn't tell him about the depressive symptoms yet), and that he needs to remember to encourage me to discuss them at our next appointment. I guess that's one step. I'm more afraid to tell him about the depressive symptoms though than the anxiety symptoms for some reason though. I mean.. really afraid to tell him about my depressive symptoms, but I know that I need too discuss it and that it's important. Why do you think that is? </font>

Maybe you're not ready to talk about these depressive feelings just yet (just a theory)—one strategy could be to get really specific about what it is exactly you want to bring up in terms of depression.

Also you could cognitively go through (maybe writing them down) the different reactions you think he might have, as well as your reactions to *his* reactions (to sort of desensitive yourself, and give you a sense of confidence about what might happen).

I wouldn't assume that everyone else automatically has a merry old time telling their T whatever they want, it's certainly not the case for me.