Halo, Yuck. Sorry you are feeling so badly. I was on Effexor for about 9 mos then weaned off. The side effects for me were dizziness, nausea similar to motion sickness or morning sickness in pregnancy. Also had brain zaps (don't know how else to describe them, hopefully you know what I'm talking about), and I remember feeling more anger and irritability. The worst of it lasted 2-3 weeks and they were completely gone by around 6 weeks. I did not switch to another med, so not sure how that...Read More...

Yeah, I continued seeing my P after that up until he retired. It actually spurred us to start therapy because he didn't know me too well at that point, and it was pretty clear I needed more then just drugs. Good luck with your appointment, I hope you can get things sorted out ok.Read More...

Thank you all so much for taking the time to offer me support. It REALLY helps. Just to know I am not crazy and alone makes all the difference. I met with my T yesterday and again we talked about how scared I am to be apart from her. She is so understanding and attuned to me and my fears that I in some way feel guilty that I'm such a wreck and she has to be so worried and sad for me. I know that probably sounds weird, but I am the queen of guilt and find ways to be guilty over just about...Read More...

Here is how I learned about God- I think: Matthew 18:10 states, “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” In the context, “these little ones” could either apply to those who believe in Him (v. 6) or it could refer to the little children (vs. 3-5). This is the key passage regarding guardian angels. There is no doubt that good angels help protect (Daniel 6:20-23; 2 Kings 6:13-17), reveal...Read More...

Hi JaneDoe So good to hear from you and know you are ok. How good too to have such positive reactions from your dear friends back home. That must send you on your journey with a deal of comfort. Glad you have computer access and freedom to keep your individuality - and those important comfort items that make us feel safe. Take care and allow the people there to help as they can and maybe let yourself be looked after and nurtured for a while. starfishRead More...

Hi Emogirl, My therapist was originally trained in Cognitive Behavorial Therapy (CBT) and he still uses some principles but I would identify his approach as eclectic. He has been practicing for around 30 years and reads constantly to stay up on advances in the field. It's definitely psychodynamic and he uses a lot of Kohut's principles. We have based most of our work together on attachment theory and he's very excited about mindfulness and Interpersonal Neurobiology. But the most important...Read More...

I too Lamplighter would like info on this, but I am more the opposite. I hate confrontation, especially with the one who is causing the angst. If my T is causing an issue- I end up talking about anything and everything else- eventhough he tells me it is ok if I am angry at him, all he asks is that I be gentle. It is still very hard to talk to the person who is the source of my angry feelings. Kudos to youRead More...

Hello Starfish, thanks for your reply - and I really relate to how you describe the childlike state - that now makes a whole lot of sense to me. A week ago I wouldn’t have known what you were talking about, I suppose that constitutes progress :grins: Actually had a session today where I tried to explain this whole not understanding words/needing responses tailored more to a child than an adult to T. He certainly got the child connection (as I thought he would, it being always worth ten gold...Read More...

LG I too would agree with my learned friends above!! I have learned very slowly that I have to be VERY specific about exactly what I want to talk about and in what depth. I used to give vague statements about how something was difficult for me and then get frustrated that my T never took it further but now I realise that more of it has to come from me. She has to know I am willing and ready to go to that place and then will walk with me 100%. LG maybe your T needs that confirmation, sex can...Read More...

Hey BB, Just gave a little update over at the EMDR thread (in Stories & Personal Accounts). First EMDR will be next week, it turns out, but I'm having trouble deciding on 'targets'. Also, my T is leaving in a few months, which is a bit distracting! Thanks for asking. JRead More...

Hugs MTF, I wanted you to know I think it is very honest of you to admit to all your emotions for T, the positive and the negative. Good luck in your session.Read More...

I am just back from being out of town for a while and saw your post. I wanted to reply because my past relationships with men have caused me great angst and I think is a big issue for me in therapy. I too had only 2 important relationships with men, but mine were more long term. The first one lasted 3 and a half years. It ended with me falling completely apart, and really never recovering. Thus the second relationship was never really truly intimate and committed, even though I was married...Read More...

dragonfly-sorry, I havent been around much. Have had a lot going on with sick kids and husband training new workers at his job so he has been gone more and lots of church activities going on so I have been gone almost every night. But hoping things are starting to slow down for me I am doing pretty good. I see my psychiatrist tomorrow and looking forward to another good session, although I have some stuff to talk about that is going to be difficult and I am not sure how to even bring it up.Read More...

I have never heard of Lovan, but it looks like it is Prozac under a different name. I have heard that it and Zoloft both help with OCD type issues. As long as your doctor that is prescribing knows that you're dealing with an OCD tendency and treats it as such, you should be on your way to getting past the obsessive thoughts. Mine are mostly gone, unless of course I start thinking about my T on my own and worrying about her by choice. Then that is my own fault! But yes, obsessive thoughts...Read More...

Thanks for making us aware of this, AG. I did this recently and didn't even think about the potential of it being seen as exclusive. Thanks for the reminder! MTFRead More...

Sorry...didn't mean to come off sounding like a professor....LOL.... I'm nobody....but I think my soul is more of a philosopher than a psychologist. I think that therapy is more of an art than a science. I guess, sometimes it is painful for me to think forward...and even more painful to think back. So...I go for the "lateral" thought. It is, perhaps...a game that I play....but most of the time it is equally revealing. SDRead More...

Hi Lizzygirl, If you look at the main page on the forum there's a brief discussion of what each section is for but we're not all that formal. Take your best shot at where it fits and that will be fine. You'll be happy to know there's no thread police who will come after you! All that said, a discussion of emdr would probably fit best under Questions about being in therapy or Science of Psychology. AGRead More...

Incognito: If it's normal or not worth talking about then why is it still bothering you? (This is what I would be asking your T.) I certainly think it's worth talking about, even if your T "normalizes" it. Why does it bother you in the first place? Why are you overly sensitive to it? (I know it's the "difficult childhood" and such, but I would want to find out how you can NOT be so sensitive to these things. Does he have any ideas or solutions to help you?) In my opinion, if these things are...Read More...

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply! Everyone has given good reasons for their specific answers and input. I have decided that for me the best option is to write my feelings out in a letter format, take it with me, and then try to just tell my T what I've written in the letter and use the letter for back-up if I need to (which more than likely I will! ) I'm getting really nervous about this the closer I get to D-Day (Friday), but I appreciate everyone's encouragement, and your...Read More...

Just give me enough time, SB. I haven't put my best material out there yet!Read More...

Dolphinac Sorry to read your post and hear your struggles. Why does everything seem to happen all at once? It can feel so unfair. Just a thought, but have you spoken to college about your financial difficulties? I know when I have done courses recently there were grants available that were means tested . . only an idea and one you've probably considered anyway. I can imagine how disappointing it must be for you, especially with such positive encoutagement from your tutor, but the course will...Read More...

you all made me smile. thanks. MH - good questions! In my town, many people walk their dogs everywhere (like even into banks - seriously.) It's interesting to sometimes just watch how people handle their pets. Ever notice how some people look so much like their pets? My heart breaks to hear the pain you have seen in how others have treated animals. I think you are amazingly courageous for having the heart to rescue that dog and keep it from harm by your father. To then lose the dog again,...Read More...

Hi again, AG! I actually bought A General Theory of Love at the same time I got In Session because I read on here somewhere (probably one of your posts) that you highly recommended it. So I'll be jumping into that one next. I also bought one called Attachment in Psychotherapy, but that one looks definitely like it's more for the therapist than the patient. Anyway, I'm sure it will be helpful. I will look into Parenting From the Inside Out next, because I can use all the help I can get in...Read More...

MH, sorry that you missed out so much of your session... really annoying I think your T gave you some homework to do so perhaps the next session will go really well. I know you are in disagreement with her about the cutting. And the self hatred... Maybe before the salf hatred was something you did absolutely unconsciously, it was not something you were aware of, it was just the way you ware, it would not be something you would think of, right? So know she named it for you. It is something...Read More...

BB Thank You I absolutely loved your poem and I felt I could just picture your T through that description you gave in the first verse too.. . the wise old rosy owl who is welcoming and non accusatory. Perfect Well done for posting it. I too have copied it in case it came down too soon Can understand your sentiments of hoping Ps don't go on this site - but I am sure he would be very moved by what you have written. Thanks again starfishRead More...