advertisement
Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
caturday15
Member
caturday15 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Feb 2014
Location: Earth
Posts: 22
10 yr Member
Default Feb 13, 2014 at 07:48 AM
  #1
It's my first time going to therapy and I had 2 sessions now. I have GAD and when I first came to my therapist, it was quite severe. However, over the weeks, I became better. During my 2nd session, I feel that I can cope with my initial anxiety and that I may not want to discuss about it until I can say that the technique I'm doing is not working / I'm becoming worse.

However, I have other issues also which I didn't bring up during my first session because they weren't major concerns at that time. Since my first issue is somehow fading, am I allowed to bring up other issues? These issues aren't 'life-threatening' unlike my GAD but since I'm in the presence of a therapist, might as well bring them up.

Is it okay to bring up everyday concerns to you your therapist? Not necessarily those related to an actual mental disorder but perhaps negative thinking patterns and other things causing you stress.
caturday15 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
RTerroni

advertisement
RTerroni
Elder
 
RTerroni's Avatar
RTerroni has no updates.
 
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 5,751
10 yr Member
2,136 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Feb 13, 2014 at 10:50 AM
  #2
I like to think that you can talk about whatever you want to during Therapy sessions.
RTerroni is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Thanks for this!
Favorite Jeans, SmallestFatGirl
HazelGirl
Elder
 
HazelGirl's Avatar
HazelGirl has no updates.
 
Member Since: Jan 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 5,248
10 yr Member
91 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Feb 13, 2014 at 11:06 AM
  #3
You can bring up whatever you want. If you want to talk about something else, then that's totally okay.

__________________
HazelGirl
PTSD, Depression, ADHD, Anxiety
Propranolol 10mg as needed for anxiety, Wellbutrin XL 150mg
HazelGirl is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Thanks for this!
SmallestFatGirl, tealBumblebee
sweepy62
Grand Magnate
 
sweepy62's Avatar
sweepy62 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Sep 2011
Location: usa
Posts: 3,615
10 yr Member
483 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Feb 13, 2014 at 11:18 AM
  #4
I usually write down in my notebook current stressors and past stuff, and then discuss it with her, that makes it easier and i dont forget stuff.

__________________
Bipolar 1
Gad
Ptsd

BPD

ZOLOFT 100
TOPAMAX 400
ABILIFY 10
SYNTHROID 137

sweepy62 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
SmallestFatGirl
Member
 
SmallestFatGirl's Avatar
SmallestFatGirl has no updates.
 
Member Since: Feb 2014
Location: CT
Posts: 140
10 yr Member
Default Feb 13, 2014 at 11:22 AM
  #5
I like the idea of writing things down. I may have to do that too. But to answer the OP's question, I'd imagine you can talk about whatever you'd like.

Sent from my KFAPWI using Tapatalk
SmallestFatGirl is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Shiny Things
Member
 
Shiny Things's Avatar
Shiny Things has no updates.
 
Member Since: Jul 2012
Posts: 232
10 yr Member
24 hugs
given
Default Feb 13, 2014 at 11:44 AM
  #6
And don't forget you can always change the subject if it gets too uncomfortable. Just say something like: I'd rather not talk about that anymore. Sometimes certain things come out sloooowwwlllyyy. Good luck with your therapy.
Shiny Things is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
caturday15
Member
caturday15 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Feb 2014
Location: Earth
Posts: 22
10 yr Member
Default Feb 13, 2014 at 12:05 PM
  #7
Since it's my first time doing this thing and I went to see the therapist during a severe episode, I feel like my other issues are not therapy-worthy. Is there such a thing?

When I visited the center, I see other clients who seem to be normal compared to what I was when I first went there (that time I couldn't eat / work / sleep / crack a smile / do very basic stuff & had panic attacks the whole day). I'm almost non-functional.

Hence, if others are functional and they still go to therapy, what kind of issues are they usually talking about? I have other issues but was able to go through life without needing the advice of a therapist. But now that I have a therapist, I'm having this urge to tell all of my issues.

Also, I'm having the sessions for free so I feel guilty prolonging the sessions for issues that aren't severe. If I'm paying, then, I'd feel some entitlement. They do accept donations and I definitely would donate but it's still different if I'm paying per session.

I'm not sure if I'm just over-thinking this.
caturday15 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
confused and dazed
Member
 
confused and dazed's Avatar
confused and dazed has no updates.
 
Member Since: Jan 2011
Location: Here and There
Posts: 207
10 yr Member
170 hugs
given
Default Feb 13, 2014 at 12:59 PM
  #8
My T told me I can talk about anything... the BIG... The small and every thing in between.
btw.... love your name
confused and dazed is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
ahdm
Member
 
ahdm's Avatar
ahdm has no updates.
 
Member Since: Nov 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 268
10 yr Member
96 hugs
given
Default Feb 13, 2014 at 02:51 PM
  #9
You can talk about WHATEVER you want, therapy is there for you to speak what's on your mind, even if you just want to talk about your week and what you bought when you went to the grocery store for an hour
Therapy is what you make it, as is life, so don't hold anything back. I've learnt that the hard way.

I hope therapy goes well for you.

__________________
Diagnoses: Depression, Anxiety
Current Therapy: CAMHS
Medication: None
ahdm is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Anonymous47147
Guest
Anonymous47147 has no updates. Edit
 
Posts: n/a
Default Feb 13, 2014 at 05:55 PM
  #10
T and i talk about anything and everything.
  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
caturday15
Member
caturday15 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Feb 2014
Location: Earth
Posts: 22
10 yr Member
Default Mar 27, 2014 at 05:26 AM
  #11
I have now discussed with the T other topics and she said it's okay to talk about anything. My question now is, for not-so-serious matters, how often should I meet the T? Previously, I was meeting her every 2 weeks. Then once a month. Is once a month okay? Or should I just give her a call on an 'as needed' basis rather than a fixed schedule?
caturday15 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Favorite Jeans
Grand Poohbah
 
Favorite Jeans's Avatar
Favorite Jeans has no updates.
 
Member Since: Jun 2013
Location: In my head
Posts: 1,787
10 yr Member
1,819 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Mar 27, 2014 at 05:56 AM
  #12
Maybe it would be worth discussing the fact that you don't feel worthy of being heard unless your problems are life-threatening.

In my experience the real work of therapy cannot take place when you are in the kind of crisis you described above. I have had to be on more solid ground emotionally and have developed a real relationship with my therapist to work on the issues that underlie the desperate overwhelming symptoms of mental illness.

You can ask you T about the mandate of the organization where you receive counselling. Is it brief crisis intervention only or do they work on other stuff too? Are you limited to a certain number of sessions?

I think that public funds (or charitable donations) are well spent on therapeutic work beyond crisis intervention. If you need to look at this way, think of the societal dividends that your therapy could reap: fewer absentee days, more employee productivity, less use of healthcare resources, and better-parented children just to name a few!

ETA: just saw your last post. I don't think less than every two weeks is enough. I also think it's hard to get at the underlying problem if you're only there on an as needed basis. But that's just me!
Favorite Jeans is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:43 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2024, 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.