Sufferer Is Isolation Really A Good Idea?

[stillstanding2]

My therapist told me I needed to find validation and confirmation within myself of what is really happening versus asking others what their words or actions are intended to mean.

Asking others to explain what they mean is just open conversation. It sounds to me as if you WERE managing your triggers for yourself by trying to prevent misunderstanding.

It's like asking another person if he will repeat something you may not have heard accurately. It also indicates to the other person that you value what he really means.

If your "therapist" doesn't understand how that works, using that "therapist" is at best a waste of time and money.

 

[Chava]

I'm not sure if there is missing context here that would help me understand your situation better or if the therapist really is off-the-mark here. Sorry I don't have much to contribute, but welcome to the forum.

As for the question of isolation being good, that totally depends on the individual and the context. I manage much better on my own under stress but am working on reaching out. But still, when really triggered I find grounding best on my own, with my therapist, or with my pets at this point. I don't believe the average person would know how to navigate this stuff with me. I also generally isolate for plenty of good reasons: attachment issues, an incredibly avoidant relationship pattern, and plain old introversion (I can work on the other stuff, but the introversion will not change and I have no desire to change it either). It doesn't feel bad at all. I'm just personally trying to not do it all the time. So, it depends...

Hopefully you can talk with your therapist more about this at your next session for clarification, or discuss what might work better for you.