GRR--bad therapy session yesterday...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
GRR--bad therapy session yesterday...
6
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 10:56am

I posted earlier in the week about a very upsetting thing that happened to me at work on Monday that sent me into anxiety attacks with a racing heartbeat, nausea, dizziness, etc. Yesterday, I went to see Therapist and told her what happened. And since this is the first anxiety attack I've had since I've started to see her (I can go for months without having them), I thought she would be interested in that--but she was more interested in what exactly happened to cause it and then telling me that I was overreacting and being irrational. That what had happened was not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.


Okay, that's true I guess. There are a lot worse things that could happen to me than what did happen. But it's irritating to me that she didn't really get into asking me much about the attack itself. I got the impression she thought I was blowing it out of proportion or something. So now I'm even more hesitant to bring up medication (she works in conjunction with my psychiatrist). And that in and of itself makes me nervous sometimes because when I go to see him, he says he has read Therapist's notes. I'm afraid that since I didn't bring up anxiety attacks when I first met with them that they will think I'm not truly having them or that I'm exaggerating how bad it was or something.


Help!


Laura

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 11:56am

Laura, I know you may not want to hear this right now because you're already upset, but I think you need to abandon this therapist and find a new one! a therapist's job is to

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 8:55pm
That is very rough, Laura. For me, it's always difficult to open up & tell personal things to the therapist. I can only imagine how much this hurt you, when you were seeking acceptance & found none. I would feel a bit betrayed. I would tell the therapist exactly what you told us here. If this can't be resolved & remains an issue, maybe it's time to move on. One size therapist does NOT fit all. Good luck & let us know what happens. (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
Sat, 08-27-2005 - 2:12am
Hi Laura-It's shasta here.
I just want you to know that this is a safe place to share, and we truly understand. Firstly, I want to say how sorry I am that you had a p/a.
I know EXACTLY how you felt that day, and it is very scary. I admire you that you made if through it. You should feel very proud about that.
And also, I have to add that I totally agree with Mia and Jan. You should feel comfortable with your therapist and pdoc.
When I first got really bad almost 2 years ago, I went to a psychologist. She was not a 'good fit' for me. I didn't feel comfortable talking with her, my dh was with me, and he did not feel comfortable either. Unfortunately, I waited til last week to seek further help. (almost 2 years later) I know now that this was such a mistake, If I would have seen someone else right away, besides the 1st psychologist I went to, I would probably be so much better by now.
I now have a new psychiatrist that my sister referred me to, and I felt comfortable from the get-go with my new pdoc. She truly wants to help, doesn't judge, and is very soft spoken and caring. I really got lucky! I hope things work out with your dr.s, but if you don't feel safe with them, maybe ask around and even just visit with another dr. and see how you feel. You shouldn't have to feel 'bad' after a therapy session!
I know there is a perfect pdoc that is just right for you.
I look forward to hearing from you. Please Take Care!
hugs, shasta
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Sat, 08-27-2005 - 9:55am

Laura, my pdoc recommended a therapist for me and the same thing happened. He was awful. I don't even want to describe our 1st 2 sessions. I switched to another therapist in their office and we hit it off perfectly. Maybe one of the secretaries could make a suggestion if you tell them the type of person you're looking to work with? I was telling the receptionist/appt maker that I really didn't want to take meds & how much I dreaded speaking with this therapist and she suggested another one that took a holistic approach. She recommended vitamins, yoga, meditation, journaling. She was the most positive person I've ever met. I would walk out of there feeling like a million bucks & just wanted to hug her at the end of every session. So maybe you could just find someone else in that office? I hope it works out for you. I had gone to 2 sessions with the one I didn't click with and was sooo afraid to switch (what would he thing? what if I saw HIM while going to see HER? lol - I drove myself crazy!) But it all worked out. I also wanted to add that my panic started after an incident at work, also. I haven't been back yet, but hope to be very, very soon - maybe in the next 3-4 weeks if all is still going well for me. I did get a note from my pdoc and it became a workers comp claim due to stress caused by work. I am getting workers comp for it which is helping me heal alot faster because I am no longer worrying about not having any income due to the darn anxiety & panic. The money defiintely took alot of stress off me. I used to worry how I was going to pay for my pdoc and therapist appointments!

Sheri Ann

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
Sun, 08-28-2005 - 2:42pm

Hi there,

Hoping you are feeling better. I know how hard it is to have such bad anxiety attacks. I also know it is so disheateing to let your emotions out to a therapist only to have them be non-empathetic. If you can muster up the energy, I think you might want to switch doctors, or see if you can tell her what is bothering you. It is part of therapy to tell your doctor what YOU want out of the sessions. Maybe she thought she was helping, but in this case I don't think she was. Maybe give her another try with your feedback on how you felt, and if you don't like her after that, you need to switch. Therapy is about you and your life, and how to make it better. Best of luck. Jolie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 08-29-2005 - 9:35am

Thanks to you all for your support. I haven't been on the board for very long, and I really appreciate the welcome I've received here.


I wish I could say I feel better, but I don't. I'm now into week 3 of feeling very depressed after several months of steady improvement. I don't know why all of a sudden my depression is back in full force. I was getting better, and my family and therapist and psychiatrist said they could tell I felt better. It's just been miserable lately, and I don't know how to pull myself out of this funk. It's starting to affect my work performance. I got in trouble at work on Friday because when I'm depressed I don't seem to have much impulse/anger control and tend to say whatever I'm thinking. And I made a comment during a meeting that I shouldn't have made in front of people without talking to my boss first.


And this weekend I discovered my bathroom sink is leaking into the cabinet below and I had to throw a bunch of stuff away that got ruined. I know a leaky sink is no big deal (I live in an apartment and can just call maintenance), but it's just one more hassle that I can't deal with right now. I called one of my best friends last night, and she said to come on over. So I escaped to her house for a few hours last night and had a good time.


About the situation with Therapist. The thing is, I really like her and she's been very helpful in the 5 months I've been seeing her. It's just that this one session I left very upset and angry. Betrayed is a good word for it. In my rational mind, I know that my reaction to the upsetting event was extreme and that a "normal" (hate that word!) person would not have gone into a panic attack over it. I know that. But the fact is, it sent my body into physical overdrive, and the racing heart and nausea and dizziness were very scary to experience--especially since I was stuck at work and couldn't lie down and because I had to act like nothing was wrong.

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