Anxiety And Therapy

[macbeth]

I had my fortnightly therapy session today and it occurred to me that before every appointment it start to feel really anxious. Sometimes I just feel a bit nervous and other times I have been unable to sleep the night before. I have even cancelled appointments because I have felt so overwhelmed with the thought of going. I don't really know why I feel this way. I do feel better after the session but I was just wondering if any one else experiences anxiety with therapy?

 

[Tanishq]

Macbeth, I think it is perfectly normal to feel anxious before you are going to do something to right or something good like good discussion. I think you care genuinely about your therapy sessions. Do you think too much how it will pan out, I mean your therapy session?

Did you talk about this with your therapist?

Don't worry. You are fine and I am glad you posted this thread. It will work out. :)

 

[macbeth]

I over think everything and yes I talked to my therapist about it today. She suggested a post about the topic because she agreed that I am not the only one who feels this. Thanks again for your encouragement Tanishq.

 

[Tanishq]

Yes, I do that. I do overthink about everything. May be one day it all will pass. Generally overthinking comes from anxiety, worry or something that is on your mind for so long. This is what I think. It all looks interconnected. Once we stop reacting to it all(anxiety, worry. I know how hard it is to stop reacting to it. I am also there honestly), perhaps that moment we become free from overthinking and other things related to it.

May I ask you one question? Do you everyday think about therapy sessions?

You are welcome macbeth. You therapist sounds nice, she seems open to all possiblities to stop this. :)

 

[Meadowsweet]

I think it's perfectly normal to feel anxious before a therapy session, after all, you go there to open up about things that your mind would really prefer to bury,

I would feel better coming out of the session, but would be in pieces after about 24 hours, and that would then add to the anxiety of going again. It really is hard work going through therapy..

 

[macbeth]

I would feel better coming out of the session, but would be in pieces after about 24 hours

@Meadowsweet I feel that way too. I do feel better I've gone but try not to do too much after for the next day or two because I find it emotionally draining.

May I ask you one question? Do you everyday think about therapy sessions?

No I don't think about every day, just the day before I am going and then the anxiety starts.[DOUBLEPOST=1400739105,1400739037][/DOUBLEPOST]Thank you both for making feel better about the situation. :)

 

[GWhizz]

@macbeth I am totally with you. I started therapy about 6months back now and every week is still daunting. I find myself really apprehensive, and that as a result I really hold back because I'm scared of broaching sensitive and painful subjects. My therapist is fully aware of this though and does her best to help ease my anxieties. We usually do some mindfulness meditations and she has a good sense of humour. She's also sensitive in that she can see when things are too heavy and so usually starts the session with a subject that may help me relax, ie something that I'd normally discuss in small talk or with friends, such as how my baby is, plans for my weekend. Similarly to you, this anxiety tends to present the day/night before and day of. It generally fades shortly into a session and yes I also feel exhausted afterwards and not too great. But it definitely is helping matters.

It's hard to get into all this stuff we've found ways of hiding/burying from most ppl, so I guess it is inevitable and completely normal that one would be anxious getting into it with anyone. Therapy is definitely a new and foreign ground for me and trust issues etc can add to the anxiety. It all takes time to build that relationship and feel comfortable in it.

Your T sounds sensitive and caring in helping you explore your feelings and thoughts on this. I do hope it gets easier for you with time

 

[Hope4Now]

I am always anxious beforehand. I'm just beginning to sort out that the anxiousness has different sources. Sometimes I'm afraid of things (e.g., having a flashback in front of him, having him not believe what I say, being unable to express what I need to, etc.) but other times I am excited because I always feel better after I have connected with him (sometimes it takes me a while to get centered again afterward, but I am always glad I went). Other times I'm anxious because I feel stressed that I am taking time for myself, and this is uncomfortable for me. Sometimes anxious because I'm taking time off from work. Maybe you could try tuning into the different flavors of anxiety?

 

[macbeth]

Maybe you could try tuning into the different flavors of anxiety?

@Hope4Now that is a really good suggestion. I have trouble distinguishing between feelings anyway and that is something I am trying to work on at the moment with my therapist. I am practising mindfulness with her to do that. I am grateful I can talk to her about these feelings.

 

[ellienad]

Even after seeing my therapist for months, I still get very nervous before each session! You are definitely not alone in feeling this way. I sometimes will even start shaking when I get to the stop light before turning into the parking lot. Here are a few things that have been helpful so far...

- Talking to my therapist about it. Bringing it up allowed me to just "feel what I was feeling", as trying to hold it in only made my anxiety worse. Now my therapist and I just small talk a bit for the first 5-10 minutes or so until I'm feeling more at ease. She will also check in with me throughout the session and ask how I'm doing or how I'm feeling.

- Making a "calming playlist" to listen to on my way to each session. It's just a mixture of songs that I find calming, some relaxation music mixed with classical stuff. I found this extremely helpful, especially when I'm coming straight from work or a long day!

- Leaving extra time to get to my appointment so I don't stress about being late. I usually get there about 10-15 minutes early and use the time to sit in my car in the parking lot and get "acquainted".

- Going to more frequent sessions...I think this has been the most helpful. Seeing my therapist twice a week created regularity and allowed me to feel more comfortable around her. It also allowed me to not worry if I didn't get something out in one session because I knew I had another one a few days later.

It's great that you are able to talk with your T about this. Stay strong my friend! When the going gets tough, try and take things one day at a time. Therapy is hard work and you deserve a pat on the back for being so courageous in sticking with it :tup:

 

[macbeth]

I appreciate the encouragement and support @ellienad. Thank you. Yesterday was the first time I was able to tell her how I was feeling. She was very understanding.

 

[ellienad]

@macbeth It's wonderful to have an understanding T! Hang in there :hug: