Boy I learnt a lot today from going to the pyscologist

[ellie]

Yes, well today was my first session in going to a psychologist. I have been to a few before, many years ago, but they were pretty useless.

I did learn quite a bit about myself in my first session today and the reason I act the way I do. I found it quite amazing.

I suffer from anxiety and would say it's on the higher end of the spectrum and as some of you may read in some of my previous post I have a tendency to be trodden on and end up just saying "yes" to things without really considering what I am saying "yes" to, which gets me in trouble. It's like a nervous reaction, where I am really not comprehending what the person is saying.

What I found out, is that reaction probably stems to a traumatic time in my life with my father, where he was suicidal and telling me he was suicidal and me just taking it in, rather than requesting my father not tell me these things. He also at the time was demanding me to come do things with him (like visit strange long lost relatives), and because he was not himself I was afraid to say "no" to him.

Anyway, the psychologist is doing role playing techniques, to help me stop saying "yes" automatically. I can't remember what it's called, but basically I need to repeat back what the person who's asking me something, saying something like "so the job is working in design, 5 days a week, is this right?". This question will allow me time to digest what is being asked of me, and then I should be able to say "right so it's a 5 day a week job, at such and such, right well let me think about it and get back to you".

Boy I found I learnt quite a bit about myself in that hour - lol! I'm not ashamed of going to a psychologist because I really do think ultimately I need this, to get myself back on track. I need some extra tools, and I need human face-to face understanding of what I am doing.

Just thought I would let people know my positive experience today.

Has anyone else been to a psychologist and had positive results?

[fellowtraveler]

Glad you are finding some relief.

Absolutely - I went to a psych I knew from years ago and he made me feel better in one session. I was (and still do feel some) anxiety because of the illness of a family member. All he told me was "_You_ get to decide what you believe". It opened me up to a lot of things I had long forgotten and helped me realize that things are not as bad as they seem.

[cdn2wheeler]

Yes, I've done it as well. Now, the approach that was taken with me was a two-pronged one to help subdue a vicious attack of depression. My regular doc put me on meds and he worked with a psychologist to help me get my thoughts under control. The two-pronged approach worked for me, though I'll freely admit it isn't something that came easily. That demon of depression is a stubborn b@st@rd, at least for me.

But I'm MuCh BeTtEr NoW...

[Honeywith4bees]

I spent about a year seeing a therapist twice a month. She was very good at helping me break out of my "tunnel vision" thinking. I was in an abusive relationship and I needed help seeing my way out.

If I had cancer or pneumonia, I wouldn't hesitate to see a Doc. Of course, I'd also research alternative approaches of the more holistic variety, and use a combination of the two to take care of myself. So I see nothing wrong with seeing a Psychologist, Psychiatrist or Licensed Social Worker for mental health issues.

Glad to hear you've experienced some positive benefits from your visit. Good luck!

[mintyway]

I'm really glad to hear that. People are often extremely reluctant when it comes to psychologists. Granted, it's not easy to find one who's suitable for your personality and situation either. I personally met 5 or 6 of them in my life. Most were of no use.
One of them was ok and probably useful at the time although he didn't really help me on a deep level. Another one has on the contrary been a tremendous engine of change for the best.

Anyway, it's nice to know you've been open minded enough to already learn things on the first session. But I can assure you that you are going to experience many new ways of thinking and "revelations" after future appointements.

Sometimes during a session or two you won't feel like you've learned a lot, and then the next time, the psychologist will say one sentence that will litteraly unfreeze one area you found yourself stuck in and you will remember it for the rest of your life.

Actually, it's only when you won't need seeing this person again (in a few months probably, I don't know what kind of therapy you just started) that you'll fully comprehend all the work you both accomplished. Believe in my experience : you've just began building a whole new world of possibilities, behaviors and ways of thinking.

Good luck!

[Old Soul]

Has anyone else been to a psychologist and had positive results?

Hi I am glad you are having a positive experience with your physcologist, I have been to one as as well..... she was fantastic, in that i felt so comfortable with her, that i was able to discusss alot of my childhood and youth expereinces with her without having an episode.... (PTS) she gave me tools to apply in my life to help me deal with my past as well as daily living

I am not ashamed at all of going to one.. she helped me understand trauma and the effects of it and impact upon my childhood...She helped me to build a puzzle to speak (PTS) post traumatic stress in my adult life from childhood experiences...

putting the missing pieces into empty spots which were causing me grief..

She has given me fantastic tools to work with, therapy to help me with the stress,

best of luck to you!! i believe you will grow from this experience

[Tigerlilly]

Originally Posted by ellie

Has anyone else been to a psychologist and had positive results?

I went to see a psychologist when I was a teenager, and the only thing I do remember to this day was the comment that I seemed to be my father's child. Which was perfectly valid, cause until in my teens I was much closer to my Dad than my Mom.

All in all have though have to say the talk didn't help me really. The only real positive result of going was the fact that I did go. Which meant alerting the family, and saying out loud I'm in trouble and need help, and taking the action, that helped to get me out of the hole and made me feel better and more self-reliant than before. So yes, I believe seeing a psychologist, even if the talk isn't really a revelation and help can bring about a positive result.

And have to say, I really like the practical advice your therapist gave you, it sounds clever and sensible.

[ellie]

Hey thanks for all your stories and feedback.

Yes I have been to a few psychologist before, and they were really pathetic. I thought I could do a better job myself.

I feel there's a lot of psychologists out there that have the piece of paper and the brains, but lack real emotional understanding because usually their lives have not been that hard. There's also a lot that don't really give you techniques, to better yourself.

That why I was so happy that this psychologist was different.

I guess it just takes time and persistence to find the right one. I was lucky that my friend recommended this one to me.

[dulaney0330]

I am very happy to hear that your therapy is working for you! It is a good feeling, huh?

My current psychologist has introduced me to the "inner child" within me, and this has really helped me with my low self-esteem and depression.