Approach In Therapy

[VioletButterfly]

Well, biting nails. I haven't heard from my doc yet regarding her view of my in-network T list. I will be so disappointed if she doesn't respond. So rejected, I guess. I know she's busy, but she knows I'm over the edge. How do you all hang in there during times like this?

I'm looking at recovery groups today so that I just don't spend my entire life alone except for when I'm on line. Maybe even a meet-up group? OMG!!!

I'm trying, but feel like I'm cracking at the same time. I'm lowering the bar, but can't lower it below earning wages. Sorry. I'm whining. I just don't know what to do and wish I had someone here to tell me what to do. Feeling like Eleanor Rigby as have not human contact. Sorry, I'm stuck and don't now how to unstick myself. Wringing hands. Sorry. So sorry. VB

 

[StellaBlue]

How do you all hang in there during times like this?

I don't think anyone here can tell you what to do, because different things work for different folks at different times. I am finishing up almost 2 years of DBT Skills training. For me, the skills I've learned from that (along with individual therapy) are how I now hang in there during difficult times. For me, when I'm in distress overload, the first step is to remind myself that I don't want to make things worse. That means, no drinking, remembering to eat well, and trying to get enough rest. My "go to" response to distress is isolation, so I also try to make sure I'm connecting with other people and not cancelling appointments (especially therapy appointments). For top of the charts "red zone" distress, I just go moment by moment - try to stay mindful, meditate, try to take the story out of the emotions and just let them run their course, try not to "fix" everything at once, find some simple things to do that remind me I have mastery over something. It sounds pretty simple, but it really is a lot of work and very tiring...but it's been successful enough times that I know if I follow the plan, the distress will pass.

 

[VioletButterfly]

Thank you. What you've suggested makes sense. I guess it comes down to patience and just hanging in there with distractor tasks. It's just been going on for so long and hope is fraying and not praying right now. VB

 

[StellaBlue]

So...the really important thing about distress tolerance skills (such as distraction) is that they aren't meant to be for the long-haul. They are meant for when the distress is way way up. This was a difficult concept for me, because for the longest time my distress was constantly in the red zone. Bringing the distress down, then learning ways to change is part of it all.