• We are a multilingual website again. Read the notice about this.
  • Understand AI use at MyPTSD: all AI use is explained in our AI help page. AI use is by choice here. It exists if you want it, but does nothing unless you choose to use it.

Seeing Therapist In Real Life While Zoning

Status
Not open for further replies.

Crow

Diamond Member
I went to the local farmer's market yesterday to pick up the pet food for the week. My guys are on a raw diet and I get the bulk of their food from a local source. I have issues with small open air markets. Not sure why, though I think that's coming into focus with the work I'm doing now. But let's just say, it takes a lot of energy and willpower to get out of my car and walk into a market.

Yesterday the vendors had moved from the sidewalk where they've been all winter to the grassy area. This makes so much sense in so many ways - more space, sunlight, more visibility from the street. But when I drove past the market going into the parking lot, I started freaking out. And walking into the circle of vendors was horrible. I have a challenge with remembering faces so location is essential. That is how I get to the vendor I need. But yesterday she had moved and was at the farthest place from the entrance. I managed to look normal, get the meat, and start to leave. Usually I'll pick up eggs and veges but things were starting to spin and looked like Tom Petty's Alice in Wonderland video.

Right as I made it to the 'exit' to go back to the parking lot, there was my therapist. She said something like, "Hi! Getting your rabbit?" She had a big smile and her hands were full of bags and a jug of apple cider. For a second I felt trapped. I think I smiled and said yep and kept walking. That's when the mumbling started. "Hate life. Hate life. Hate life." that's still continuing today. I looked back and T was walking back to her car on the other side of the road, eyebrow furrowed, head down. No idea if she heard my mumbling mantra.

Anyway. I see her this afternoon and I'm sure I'll talk to her about my zoning out and Wonderland experience. Just curious if there was any feedback. I've seen her before out in the real world - at a concert, the vet office, grocery store. It's always been a little weird but I've never flipped into the hating life mantra. I think it was just combined with everything else. And I don't think I immediately recognized her - that might have something to do with it.

In the office today and the perceptions are still askew so it'll be a long day. Got four more hours till I can go home and work the day out.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm sure she'll talk to you about it, but in a no big deal, kind of way. You can bring up that you were overwhelmed and didn't mean to notice her in a different way?

Maybe the sun was in her eyes, or something like that. It's always hard to see our therapist outside of the office! You've handled other encounters well, so I'm sure it'll be okay.

I've seen my T, three times over the last 4yrs and it's always been in the same place!!! The first two times, he saw me, but I didn't see him. The third, we noticed each other. We NEVER acknowledged that we saw each other(we make eye contact and that's all). But talked about it the next time we met in session. I'm would freak if he talked to me....
 
When I saw her at the vet, I was having an emergency with one of my cats - my fault. When she came out of the exam room into the waiting area and I saw her, I asked for a hug. I thought I had severely injured Ella but she was okay. T gave me a hug and then met one of my cats that the tech hadn't taken into the room yet. I felt so ashamed about that because,,,you know,,,,the boundaries thing. But when we talked about it, she was thankful I had asked. Touch is a huge block for me and asking for what I need another big block so I guess I did both and that was good. At the concert, I saw her before she saw me and I just ignored her at first. That was the first time we had met outside the office. She saw me and opened her cell phone. That was the old days with flips when you could tell they weren't activated. Her's wasn't actually on. When I walked by her, I touched her arm and waved. The grocery store we just said hi. I think what screwed me up yesterday is I didn't recognize her. I recognized her voice. That bothers me that I don't hold on to what people look like.
 
  • Like
Reactions: C j
Why don't you clarify with your therapist how to react if you meet up? My last therapist said she would blank me and I agreed to blank her unless no one was about then a acknowledge with a slight nod of the head.
 
It's also common to attachment disorders. Literally that center of the brain never develops. I've made progress over the years. If I'm grounded I can recognize someone. Or if they're an ultra safe person. But I mostly rely on voice and body to place people.
 
  • Like
Reactions: C j
:roflmao: @Panda Bear :D I actually am 99% certain I saw a T who massively failed me, standing outside a restaurant last year, I gave her a pissed off sort of glare as I strode past her, she sort of hunched and tried to make herself as small as possible, I thought she was going to be sucked into her phone she was holding! :hilarious: serves her right to be negligent to me!
 
Serves her right! @Cj77

I actually totally avoid the place I've seen my T at, as the three time I've seen him, have all been at the same place!!!

@CrowFeather interfering, I didn't know that about attachment issues. I have an awful time recognizing faces, especially in public places. My recall is very poor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: C j
Status
Not open for further replies.

Donation drives

2026 Donation Goal

Goal
$1,800.00
Earned
$910.00
This donation drive ends in
0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds
  50.6%

Trending content

Featured content

Back
Top Bottom