I'm up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yuck, SoCal! Just kidding. There isn't any in his city, but there is one in mine, which is only 15-30 minutes away depending on traffic. So, perhaps next time he comes for a visit, I can ask him if he would be interested in checking it out.Read More...

Butterfly, I am so glad you will try to talk to her about it. As you said, you haven't really been seeing her very long and maybe you have to give it more time for the feelings to develop. I know you had a hard time with your dependency feelings for your last T. But maybe it is something you really need. Although I think you said this on another thread, that you just want more of a balance this time. Maybe the two of you can work together on developing that balance. If she has maternal...Read More...

SB, I am so glad that your T expressed horror at how terribly you were treated by the rude T who forgot about you. I hope her reaction served to reinforce just how unprofessional that was. I also hope that she told you that it wasn't anything about you, but was simply about the other Ts poor lack of scheduling and unprofessionalism. Picturing your T sitting there with a big smile on her face when you joked about her telling her partner that she is a feminist and not willing to pick up and...Read More...

UV, Thanks so much for replying to this thread, I had missed it! And thank you for the article. I love sailing and thought it made the perfect analogy for the tension in therapy. Jill It was just wonderful to hear that you are doing well, I hope your work with Dr PA continues to help you. I am glad you trusted yourself to know what you needed. And thanks for updating us! AGRead More...

LG gut reaction vs head reaction, believe me I'm an expert at stuffing both of them up! talk with T2 - she appears much more solid, even if she didn't mention the call! are they having a problem with each other? from what I know of life, 3-way relationships just don't seem to work! Hmmmm!Read More...

AG, thanks for coming to my rescue! Cuz if AG can do it, then so can I! I think medical issues can understandably be a big trigger. I mean, first you aren't feeling well physically, then there is anxiety about tests, diagnoses, and procedures. On top of that, sometimes health care providers are arrogant and insensitive. Then there is the financial stress associated with bills, and stress over taking time off work. And anything that has to do with pregnancy, childbirth, or recovery is totally...Read More...

Oh (((frosty))) gosh you're honest and often so hard on yourself!! Firstly, it's just great that she's told you she likes you and you 'feel' it!! You don’t need to worry about becoming attached – she’ll help you with that when it happens also. IMO What you’re forgetting here is that when you do get rid of your phobias and are who you want to be, you will grown into adulthood emotionally also – these problems are all tied up together and as Liese said it’s not going to happen in a day!! LG...Read More...

Hi Jane, thanks for starting this thread, and sharing your story about Sophie with us. It is really moving. It's not 'just a dog'. People who would say that are just really insensitive. I'm so sorry for you, TN. It is an awful experience, and I can feel your pain. (((TN))) I've never had a dog, but I couldn't live without animals. I've had cats, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, mice, fish... Last month my rabbit (called Useless) died. He was 10 years old. I am actually really glad you...Read More...

Thanks for all the support everyone. I was able to sleep. I woke up A LOT, but no insomnia when I woke, so at least I think I managed to rack up some hours. In these cases, I really can't call T. Maybe if I had been all alone, with no other resources, and about to do something stupid, then I could do it...but I probably still would not. But, in this case, H was home playing video games, my sister (who I wouldn't talk to about this stuff anyway) was here. I had options...but just do not feel...Read More...

(((((((((Kashley))))))))) Big hugs back your way. No apologies needed, but thanks for checking in. I hope your internet is up and running soon!Read More...

(((blackbird))) Please be gentle with yourself....you deserve kindness. I know it is understood here that people offer what they can when they can. I also understand the guilt that comes up when we feel depleted and unable to support others. But blackbird...you have offered so much to this forum and to me individually and I know everyone here only wants to lessen your pain. There are reasons that everyone loves you here. It is your turn. Thinking of you....please post if and when you can... ...Read More...

I just laughed so hard I had everyone here staring at me.Read More...

SO pleased you got there and it went so well LG. If you feel like that again you now know you'll be fine!! I totally understand getting into the 'alone' funk LG and R2Grow - it's like our social skills go hiding!!Read More...

AG - So tough for me to be angry at anyone but myself still. I got really angry at my dad the other day for leaving me entirely out of a photo album he entitled "my life," despite a dozen pictures of my stepmom. Then, after about five minutes, I felt angry at myself for being petty and selfish for wanting to be in there. That is about the sustainability of my anger toward others right now. I suppose this too will change, and then, LOOK OUT EVERYONE!Read More...

JD, That is great!! So glad you were able to get pictures and they are grounding. Awesome!Read More...

Glad you are (at least sounding like) you are going! I'm sure it will be so good to see your T2. I just have to make it 22 hours until I can have phone session with my T.Read More...

Oh, yeah, he texted me once to say that my texting him was very OK. And then, when I texted him about my bad thoughts (too triggering to share here), he texted me back a few pages of his usual, reassuring me of the redemptive power of God's love for both me and him. I had already reassured him that I wasn't going to do anything stupid, so really, just hearing from him at all was much more than I expected.Read More...

Maybe get a separation. If you don't miss her, perhaps you two are better off apart. If you do miss her, this will help you develop feelings of love and longing for her again. Do you two make time for each other, like a weekly date night? (no kids, no phone calls, no distractions. Just you two).Read More...

I have before, but not in a while. Yuck. I seriously need to find a way to start getting more than four hours of sleep per night. I need someone to take my toddler for several hours and to not have to watch my nephew and just lay in bed until I can get sleep without worrying that someone in the house will need me, or wake me up disturbingly in my sleep, or scream their head off. I'm F---ing TIRED! Ugh.Read More...

seablue, no worries. I'm not feeling over-exposed or anything. It's perfectly OK to delete. (((hugs)))Read More...

Smiley, I'm sure your T would understand if you called her about nameless pain and let her know you need help and you're not even sure if/how she could. I'm sure she'll appreciate you reaching out for what you need, even if you don't know exactly what it is. Maybe she'll be able to help you clarify and identify your feelings. I know T is sometimes able to do that for me (although, it usually takes a few hours before I realize he was right). (((((((((HUGS))))))))))Read More...

FF - The first thing you need to do is BREATHE! I know it's corny but it does help a little. I'm not in such a great place right now but I swear, I could have written what you wrote. So much so that my heart was racing with your thoughts! I hope you can try and relax a little and then maybe call your T. SmileyRead More...

I loved the fact that you had bought him that lamp. I know how much he means to you after the HELL you were going through. I did not realise I met my sweetP before you met your T - so just wanted to explain that without messing up your thread. I met sweetP by a self referral in June via my GP - did not know what I psychologist did really but knew my ex C was beginning to show signs of being out of her depth. Then i forgot about the referral request and just as the hell with the ex C was in...Read More...

Hi jp and welcome... You have quite a dilemma on your hands. It sounds like to me that your girlfriend is suffering from anxiety and she could possibily be suffering from some depression. It could also be that she is having problems regulating her emotions and this is causing problems with her interpersonal relationships. I'm not sure if you should be the one to help her or even if you CAN help her. I would recommend that she seek therapy so she can talk to an unbiased person who maybe she...Read More...

My oldest sister is staying in my living room right now. When my other sisters were in this position, they would stay here. He would not be at risk here, since we know H's condition and now have "rules" in place, but I think it would make my sisters who suffered very concerned and hurt. My other older sister lives in a dangerous city, twice as far as I live. My younger sisters (19, 20) both live at home with him, but my mom won't support them in getting him to take care of business. How can...Read More...