New Counselor - Appt. Thursday...

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2006
New Counselor - Appt. Thursday...
9
Tue, 07-11-2006 - 6:44pm

Hi all,

I'm getting stressed out over my upcoming counseling appointment this Thursday. I was in therapy once before on and off for about 4 years, but I haven't been to a counselor in close to 14 years.

So much has happened in my life that I don't know where to start with this new doc. Not everything that has happened is bothering me right now, but I think the doc will probably want to know my history, and I don't want him to think I'm a complete basket case when I start listing all the heavy-duty stuff I've had to experience.

I know a lot of my anxiety over this appointment stems from my dad (an abuser) telling me that if I ever told people will think I am crazy and they'll lock me up. I know this is not true -- I've dealt with this in counseling before many years ago, but it's making me very uncomfortable right now (I thought that "tape" had been destroyed, I guess my brain made a copy!!!! UGH! LOL). My dad used to always say everything was my fault because something was wrong with me, I always stayed strong "knowing he was the crazy one". Now, part of me is like, "he was right, you are crazy...". I mean I understand that what he did CAUSED some of my problems, but there is a chance that some of this is genetic too and I'm having a really hard time reconciling the fact that he probably knew these things and used it against me becuase it would help to protect himself, but part of what he said may still be "true". (I am adopted and it's a long story, but there were references a couple times to my being "like my (birth)mother" in regards to problems I was having. I guess at the time of my adoption she was working with Family Services due to some problems... Not knowing the truth about these things is ANOTHER issue I have...)

There is so much more I could post, as I'm sure you can imagine. I guess I just need to be reminded that our fears are much worse than reality.

Any suggestions for how to get ready for this appointment? Should I write a list of major life events that have affected me, etc...? I'm not sure I was diagnosed properly through my first counselor, so should I even mention that diagnosis (Borderline), or should I see what he comes up with?

I've heard my counselor is very good and my doctor said this is the guy the doctors use! LOL So, I know he has a good reputation.

Honestly, I HATE HATE HATE having to go back to counseling, but with my chronic pain the anxiety and stress was making everything unbearable. I've gone through so many doctors visits and been poked and prodded so many times over the last year it's nuts...

I just don't want to go through ALL the stuff I had to talk about last time. As I said I did a lot of work and _many_ of those old issues aren't affecting me like they used to -- it's mostly stuff from the last 8 years that is bugging me now, but I feel like they're going to make me start back at square one just to "make sure" none of the old stuff is causing problems. Well, I know it could be but, I guess maybe I'm just looking for a short-cut? LOL Too many things to try and figure out right now I guess...

Geesh, now I'm rambling. That's how I get when I am nervous. I'm going to log off for a while now. Grab a bite to eat, spend some time with my kids so I can put this out of my head for a while. I will be back to read the responses though. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. I hope this all makes sense...

One GREAT thing to report is that it seems the side effects from the Zoloft I started on June 29th are almost completely gone. I had a horrible day with nausea on Sunday, but yesterday and today I haven't noticed it one bit! (o: I am also feeling A LOT better mentally than I have in the past, but it is still a challenge as being on the meds gives you a new outlook on things in a way. It's more like my old self is finally in charge again, and not my anxiety, but it's facing a mountain to climb, and I haven't worked out in a while! LOL I know this isn't a miracle cure, and I still have work to do, but dang it's an incredible feeling right now...

Anyway, thanks in advance for your support everyone, I really do appreciate it!

Love to all,
~*~ Tangeloper ~*~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 07-12-2006 - 11:52am

I think you are working yourself up over something that hasn't happened yet.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2006
Wed, 07-12-2006 - 4:10pm

Dear Sheri Ann,

I am feeling better today. I definitely think venting on the boards here was instrumental in that. Your response was very helpful to me. (o:

I hadn't considered the fact that the field of psychology was moving forward in the last 15 years or so. It didn't even occur to me. LOL I am sure that now, there is better help available and even more understanding of what we are going through.

Thanks again for your response, I appreciate it!

Sincerely,
~*~ Tangeloper ~*~




Edited 7/12/2006 4:12 pm ET by tangeloper
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 07-12-2006 - 4:20pm
Glad to hear you're feeling better & getting adjusted to the meds. My *T* also works in real time:) We manage the problems I am facing now. TBH, I don't like dredging up the past that I have worked so hard coming to terms with. I think that making a list of important topics you wish to discuss is a good idea. The *T* can put it in your records for later visits. The first visit is usually an intake session for evaluation purposes. Also, you have every right to work with your *T* by setting goals together. The best relationships are when the client & *T* are on the same page. Good luck to you! Let us know how it goes. (((hugs))) jan




 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 07-12-2006 - 9:03pm

This board has definitely helped me alot, too.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2006
Thu, 07-13-2006 - 5:43pm
You were so right Sheri Ann! (o: I felt immeasurably better after my appointment today. Thanks so much for your support, it really helped me.
~*~ Tangeloper ~*~
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2006
Thu, 07-13-2006 - 5:46pm

Here's a little summary I wrote up regarding my first appointment. I figure I'd copy and post it at the end of this thread as well so others who are facing their first appointment can kind of get a feeling of what went on... (o:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, I went to my first counseling appointment this morning, and I'm feeling really good about it now. I was so nervous the last two days, and like usual it went much better than my silly head imagined... Since we were up so early I was even able to come home and take a very nice nap and feel rested afterwards. I knew I was keyed up, but I can't believe how much relief there is now, and so quickly (I think that's the meds (o:) Usually, it would take sometimes DAYS for the stress to go away even after whatever I was worried about was over with.

My counselor is very nice, and seems to have a real good heart. We briefly went over some of the major things that have happened in my life, and talked about what symptoms (anxiety, etc...) were the most prominent right now. We also talked a little about what I wanted to get out of therapy. Probably the best news I got was that I have a pretty good prognosis at this point, which I take to mean that they (my docs) think they can help me. (o:

We talked about medications, and he will be talking with my primary care doc and figuring out if they will increase my dosage, or what my primary doc's plans were with that. I will be seeing my therapist next week after my next visit to my doc.

My husband was also able to come in with me for the first meeting and that helped as well because I really want him to be involved at least a little in talking with my doctors. I think it will help him, dealing with me, if he knows what's going on and God forbid anything weird happens (due to meds or whatever) at least he'll have a clue of what to watch for, and can help see if I'm getting better at home... (o:

Well, I guess that's all for now... Thanks again to everyone who gave advice and listened to my rants the last few days, it really helped me a lot.

Love to all of you!
~*~ Tangeloper ~*~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 07-13-2006 - 6:49pm

I am so glad it went so well!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 07-14-2006 - 12:29pm
Sounds like a good experience for you. I am glad your dh could go along. Good luck! (((hugs))) jan




 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 08-23-2006 - 4:29pm

Hi, just checking in to see how you are doing :)


Sheri Ann

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