Need help with my "homework"

Avatar for cherfer
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2003
Need help with my "homework"
2
Tue, 02-13-2007 - 11:11am

Well I started at a new therapist last night and she seems pretty good. Much better than anyone I've seen before and quit after only a few sessions. She wanted me to tell her how I would behave and how I would think, if I were to wake up tomorrow and all of my social anxiety problems were gone. I struggled with it when she asked me, and kept saying things I "wouldn't" do.. like I wouldn't avoid people, I wouldn't break plans with friends, etc. She wants me to say what I WOULD do. She said I could write it down and bring it next week. So what do you think? How would you behave and think if you woke up tomorrow and your anxiety was gone?

Cheryl

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2006
Tue, 02-13-2007 - 12:25pm


Hi Cheryl,

My *t* likes to give me homework too. I have only seen her twice so far but she seems really good. The first HW I had was to right down my "ideal life". If I could wave a magic wand and change things, what would be my life be like. I filled a whole page and when I read back over it and read it to one of my friends, she said "well, that's just a normal life, like everyone" and I said YEAH, that's all I want!! TO FEEL NORMAL AGAIN!!! I don't care about all the stupid material crap, I just want to have no anxiety, no panic, no dizziness and maybe a bit of support!! LOL!

I want to help you with your HW, but I don't want to TELL you what to write. Just don't think about what you THINK your *t* wants to hear. It has to come from you. It might take a couple days for you to think of things. Are there things you feel like you are missing out on because of the anxiety, social settings, stuff with family, dating if you are single??? If you didn't have that fear, what would you do??? Would you have a candle party with friends, a night out, would you approach people easier??? Anyway, I wish you luck, I have HW to work on as well for my appt this week. I have to fill out these papers everytime I have an anxiety, telling what I am feeling, where I was, what was my thinking and what my moods were. Then I have to come up with alternative thinking or reactions to what my anxiety is telling me. It was pretty hard at first but I think I am getting the hang of it. Good Luck Cheryl, I know you will do great. I am so glad you feel like you found a therapist you have a connection with. They say that is really really important in recovery. Hugs, Erin

Community Leader
Registered: 10-22-2001
Tue, 02-13-2007 - 3:53pm
My son has this but I have it to.
It would be so nice to not have that familiar feeling in the pit of your stomach.
Yesterday we had to let contractors in our house to do some work in our bathroom.
It had been put off two times because he is just not comfortable with ppl and it is hard for others to understand how it makes him feel.
I am working on my anxiety but I had PSTD and am slowly but surely getting my life back.
It wasn't easy but I am proud of myself for the baby steps and the goals while small in other ppl's eyes they are huge to me.
Learning to cut myself some slack.
It was just like we wouldn't have to go through this if he didn't have this or if I wasn't like this myself.
It has though made me aware how strong I am and that I came through some really hard times and that it isn't my fault or his.
It just is.
Anxiety is a very real deal for a lot of ppl and finding this place has helped me immensely.
Hope and the knowledge of not being ALONE is amazing to ME.
I liked the idea she is wanting you to work on the positives.
That is refreshing!
Good-Luck!
Wishing you much sucess.
Lorie
Nightangel