Home Menu

Menu


Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old Mar 16, 2009, 01:21 AM
pinksoil
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I haven't called between session in awhile. Last session was pretty good, I felt a connection with him.

I have a lot going on right now. My never seemed to react emotionally since my dad died (and she is the one who found him on the bathroom floor). She just revealed, two days ago, that she has been having severe anxiety for the last month, with panic attacks. (She had panic disorder in the past-- about ten years ago, and was treated for it, and no longer met the criteria). Aside from this, she has other psychological problems. Although we live in different states, I am basically parenting her.

My sister lives about 10 minutes from my mom. She is feeling the burden and I understand that. My sister can be very histrionic at times. She will call me up at times, hysterically crying, telling me that she wishes she was dead. She does this for attention.

I am working my butt off in doctoral school and working my butt off as a therapist.

My mother has been smoking for about 50 years. She wheezes a lot, and gets out of breath. She just told me that lately she has been experiencing pressure in her diaphragm and gets out of breath. She hasn't been to the doctor in twelve million years. When my sister offered to take her this past Saturday, my mom said, "I'm not ready yet." When I talked to my mom about the importance of going to a doctor, she said, "I'll think about it." Now she says she might go next Saturday, but with my mother... she says things, but doesn't follow through.

My father stopped taking care of himself and he let himself die. I can't go through this again with my mother.

I am a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding and I totally forgot to order pick out and order the dress this weekend. I don't know if it's too late now. I don't even want to be in the wedding. I am tired and just want to be left alone sometimes.

I know my mom can't control what is happening to her, but she can certainly get help. I understand my sister's frustration. But I also wish that they would realize that I lost my dad, the most important person to me (my sister is actually his step-daughter and they had a relationship, but not a close one. It was very rocky at times, and they would have long episodes of not even speaking).

I think I really need to unload. T said I can call his voicemail and say whatever I want. I wish that I could go to session earlier than Thursday, but that is just not possible. A phone session is not possible either. I doubt I would even get to speak with him tomorrow if he was to call back.

advertisement
  #2  
Old Mar 16, 2009, 02:22 AM
sunrise's Avatar
sunrise sunrise is offline
Legendary
 
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: U.S.
Posts: 10,383
You do have a lot going on, pink. When I hear something like this string of events you trying to handle, I am glad to know the person has a therapist. That is what they are there for and you are using yours just like you are supposed to.

I hope that somehow your T will be able to call you back and you will be able to talk with him before Thursday. Sometimes even a short phone call can be helpful.

I wanted to ask you about your mother. Do you have ideas for what is next? It sounded like you might be getting ready to distance yourself, but I could be wrong. I hear those competing impulses of caring for someone and self-preservation. I hope it is possible somehow to do both.
__________________
"Therapists are experts at developing therapeutic relationships."
  #3  
Old Mar 16, 2009, 04:20 AM
Mouse_'s Avatar
Mouse_ Mouse_ is offline
Magnate
 
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: Sch of hard knocks.
Posts: 2,179
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinksoil View Post

I have a lot going on right now. My never seemed to react emotionally since my dad died
Did you notice the freudian slip here??? I'm guessing your "never" is your mother?
__________________
Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you're alive, it isn't. ~Richard Bach
  #4  
Old Mar 16, 2009, 09:42 AM
Anonymous273
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinksoil View Post
I have a lot going on right now. My never seemed to react emotionally since my dad died (and she is the one who found him on the bathroom floor). She just revealed, two days ago, that she has been having severe anxiety for the last month, with panic attacks. (She had panic disorder in the past-- about ten years ago, and was treated for it, and no longer met the criteria). Aside from this, she has other psychological problems. Although we live in different states, I am basically parenting her.

*I am sure it is even harder to have a spouse die, reacting emotionally seems to be normal reaction to something this hard. It is okay to show emotions of grief, in fact it is very healthy.

My sister lives about 10 minutes from my mom. She is feeling the burden and I understand that. My sister can be very histrionic at times. She will call me up at times, hysterically crying, telling me that she wishes she was dead. She does this for attention.

* could be for attention, I am not sure what this has to do with feeling the burden of your mom. I know what it is like to be the only one to take care of someone, when another sibling lives in another state who tells my husband and I that it can't be THAT bad.

I am working my butt off in doctoral school and working my butt off as a therapist.

*Yes you are, and it is tough, I know, but it doesn't diminish what your family is feeling and how they are dealing with the death of your father.

My mother has been smoking for about 50 years. She wheezes a lot, and gets out of breath. She just told me that lately she has been experiencing pressure in her diaphragm and gets out of breath. She hasn't been to the doctor in twelve million years. When my sister offered to take her this past Saturday, my mom said, "I'm not ready yet." When I talked to my mom about the importance of going to a doctor, she said, "I'll think about it." Now she says she might go next Saturday, but with my mother... she says things, but doesn't follow through.

*It sounds like your sister is trying to help, it must be frustrating to her also. It sounds like you both feel the same way about this.

My father stopped taking care of himself and he let himself die. I can't go through this again with my mother.

*I don't know what you dad died from, but do you really think he let himself die? That is a really strong comment about your dad, are you angry at him for this? I hear a lot of anger.

I am a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding and I totally forgot to order pick out and order the dress this weekend. I don't know if it's too late now. I don't even want to be in the wedding. I am tired and just want to be left alone sometimes.

*It sounds like you are also not functioning as well as you want, like your mom, like your sister. This was your friend, and you say you don't even want to be in her wedding, and that you forgot to get your dress ordered. Why didn't you just tell her no, you don't want to be in her wedding? If I was your friend, these actions and feelings would be very hurtful, and I am sure they come across. This is her big day, and she deserves to have a great day with friends who are supportive and care about her wedding. If you can't do this, you should have stepped out. Plus it would be one less thing on your plate.

I know my mom can't control what is happening to her, but she can certainly get help. I understand my sister's frustration. But I also wish that they would realize that I lost my dad, the most important person to me (my sister is actually his step-daughter and they had a relationship, but not a close one. It was very rocky at times, and they would have long episodes of not even speaking).

*It just seems to me that you are qualifying your grief and your reactions to it, but you just don't want to be compassionate about your mom and your sister's grief, because your relationship with your dad was "better".

I think I really need to unload. T said I can call his voicemail and say whatever I want. I wish that I could go to session earlier than Thursday, but that is just not possible. A phone session is not possible either. I doubt I would even get to speak with him tomorrow if he was to call back.
*It sounds like you need to talk to your T, but like your sister and mom, you are not doing what is best for you, and taking care of yourself.
I am not trying to be harsh with you, but I just see a lot of the same behaviors between you, your mom, and your sister. You are all grieving, you all need to take care of yourselves, and it seems like nobody wants to do what is best for them.
  #5  
Old Mar 16, 2009, 08:53 PM
mixedup_emotions's Avatar
mixedup_emotions mixedup_emotions is offline
Elder
 
Member Since: Feb 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 7,326
Quote:
Originally Posted by exoticflower View Post
*It sounds like you need to talk to your T, but like your sister and mom, you are not doing what is best for you, and taking care of yourself.
I am not trying to be harsh with you, but I just see a lot of the same behaviors between you, your mom, and your sister. You are all grieving, you all need to take care of yourselves, and it seems like nobody wants to do what is best for them.

Wow....VERY good observation!
__________________
Don't follow the path that lies before you. Instead, veer from the path - and leave a trail...
  #6  
Old Mar 17, 2009, 07:13 AM
Anonymous29412
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
(((((((((((((((((pink))))))))))))))))))

Did you call T??
  #7  
Old Mar 17, 2009, 04:42 PM
MissCharlotte's Avatar
MissCharlotte MissCharlotte is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Posts: 3,982
It sounds like you are the caretaker of the family. I do think that connecting with T and calling him when you need is good self care. That is so hard when we have parent models who don't take care of themselves. It must be very frightening to see your mother doing what your father did. I think that one of the most frustrating of experiences is when we can see something happening but are powerless to prevent it. You have your hands full, but it does sound like you are managing. I vote for calling T!

(((((((Pinksoil)))))))

__________________
Ok, I think I am about to call T.
[/url]
  #8  
Old Mar 17, 2009, 06:50 PM
phoenix7's Avatar
phoenix7 phoenix7 is offline
Wise Elder
 
Member Since: Oct 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 8,135
(((Pinksoil)))

DId you call T Pinksoil? I hope so - there is certainly enough cause for you to have a talk with T - don't know what i would have done if I hadnt talked to my T yesterday - please ring if you havnt already.you have a lot going on and talking with your T may help settle some of it,

Grief takes a long time and you need to be able to look after you to get through it - with your mum - you can only do so much - that's what I had to realise with my mum - she smoked like a trooper and got overweight and unfit and stopped going out of the house - just sitting in her chair reading and smoking - I encouraged her- I offered to take her out or to dr's or somewhere!!! but she didnt want to - she wouldnt let me help her - it's so hard to see.... somtimes you just can't help no matter what you try - but we keep on trying - and it wears you out when you are already dealing with other stuff

I hope you spoke with your T and I hope you are feeling better
__________________
Its not how many times you fall down that counts
its how many times you get back up!
Ok, I think I am about to call T.
(Thanks to fenrir for my Picture )

When you have come to the edge of all light that you know and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown,
Faith is knowing One of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly.
by Patrick Overton, author and poet
Reply
Views: 477

attentionThis is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:45 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.




 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.