How long does it take from the point you start talking about abuse stuff for you to feel better?

[Perna]

Feel better how? I started therapy in 1970 and terminated in 2005. I guess I felt "better" around 1985. But that's me and my definition of "better" and my abuse, etc. Your T might have a better estimate of time for you? It doesn't ever "go away" it just morphs into something not as immediate and upsetting. It doesn't get you stuck anymore when you think of it and you're not afraid.

[arod13]

keep the faith don't look at the finish line just focus on today and take it day by day and before you know it just like perna said you become not as much afraid anymore and the thoughts become less frequent

[MyBestKids2]

I guess there is no defined turning point. I have been in therapy since 1979, and am still looking for that ray of sunshine

[Rhapsody]

Hmm -

Mine took about 10 years of constant therapy and hard mental work on healing the many wounds.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

i think its best not to set a deadline, as this is unrealistic and will only lead to disappointment.

with abuse, and depression etc, it can take years to "get better" as others have said. the thoughts of your abuse will remain with you for life, and sometimes you will get scared and upset, i doubt this will ever go. but it does get easier slowly, and the times you get scared and upset are few and far between. with something such as abuse it has a life long effect, there is no magic cure. but as long as you talk about how you are feeling and what you are going through, it will ease up and things become easier and brighter for you, and you are then able to live a happy, normal life.

take care of yourself, speak soon

simon

everyone here has been in therapy so long. My T told me it takes about 2-3 years of therapy to get over an eating disorder. I figured that 3 years would be enough for everything then. Has anyone elsees Ts given them a time frame?

Each person is different. some people can go to one or two sessions and be ok and others need more. Every time I have asked when will I be done I was told don't worry about when because a person enters therapy for a reason, then they set goals to accomplish and how long they are in therapy from then on depends on how fast they can accomplish those goals. and even then some people accomplish a set of goals and then take a break from therapy and then go back and accomplish another set of goals. Some people while they are working on one set of goals decide to just go ahead and attck more goals at the same time.

Its best not to base how long you are in therapy based on another persons therapy experience. only you and your therapist knows what your goals are and how fast or slow you need to go to accomplish those goals.

I myself have been in and out of therapy for at least 20 years. (More if you consider seeing the school psychologist a few times). with no deadlines just working on things as they come up.

you and only you will know when its time to stop therapy, and nobody can tell you different.

simon

[Sailaway]

I'm trying to figure that out myself:-) You can't put a time frame on feeling better. I've been therapy for almost 7 months now and I will take those seven months with me especially during the next year. Take each day as it comes, treat it as a blessing and go at your own pace.

I got orders to Iraq today so I've got until January to heal or at least feel a little more empowered than I do right now. I can't take the eating behaviors with me overseas. I can't take the memories with me. I know there will be triggers, smells, sounds that will make memories real but I can't let them over power me like they have, like they are. I wish I had a timeline for you my friend. Being in the military, I'm all about schedules, mission accomplishment and best of putting on a mask (my uniform). Take care.

~Sailaway