Sitting In The Waiting Room

[pocketdoll]

Does anyone else feel awkward sitting in the waiting room before a therapy appointment?

Today I was at my college counseling office, waiting for my 9 am appointment. There were a few others with me; three guys and a couple. I noticed the woman in the couple whispered something to her boyfriend and kind of laugh. I realized my head was darting back and forth like a sprinkler, being extra-hyper-vigilant, and they thought it was funny.

Or do you feel really self conscious? Like I did after I caught the whisper...

I guess I can't blame them; most people who walk into that place are stressed over tests and relationships, not PTSD. I must've looked pretty crazy.

Just wanting to see if anyone else feels this way...

 

[PerfectEmpire]

I always feel awkward waiting for my therapist. Typically I am the only patient in the waiting room. But the receptionists are my age and I listen to them talk to each other the way my own friends and I talk together. And it feels weird that these two girls who could easily be my friends know me through this non-social context and can see my files and know my diagnoses. It makes me feel very isolated.

Waiting for therapy is uncomfortable. But remember, nobody can hear your thoughts but you and the only people who know why you are there are you, your therapist, and a few office workers.

 

[Manic11]

I recommend bringing something to ground yourself if you can. Holding a smooth rock in your hand while your hand is in your pocket, music that helps calm you, a book to read, knitting, etc.
Something to keep your mind busy may help a little bit. It worth a shot?

Manic

 

[cragger65]

You're keep excellent perspective on this issue, that's just beautiful. Our mind and body want to go on auto-pilot when our wind is up, like a deer sniffing the wind for wolves. And, I believe out mental filters are blown out, so we obsess and agonize over details that other people would never even notice unless we pointed it out to them.

Good job with the perspective, seriously. And no, it's not even close to "just you".

Dave

 

[Charon]

Eh, I usually feel pretty uncomfortable but just go inside my head, sit around and read Sports Illustrated (usually all there is) even though I don't follow sports. I'm pretty much always the youngest guy there; the rest of the waiting room is typically full of Korean and Vietnam vets sprinkled here or there. Total grizzled old men's men (I'm waaay too metrosexual to ever fit in there) and their wives or daughters. I go to a clinic for my therapy, its not all just mental health, most people who go there I'd wager are there for health reasons, not mental health reasons. But then again you never know....

 

[pocketdoll]

And, I believe out mental filters are blown out, so we obsess and agonize over details that other people would never even notice unless we pointed it out to them.

Dave,

That is my biggest problem. I am constantly projecting what I know and see in my self and feel that everyone around me can see it. It makes me feel ugly. Down to tiny details of posture, where my hands are sitting, whether they notice my nail polish is chipped, if my hair is frizzy from this *LOVELY* Florida humidity. I talked to my counselor about it, but she didn't offer me any tools to make it better.

We also talked about how I'm always sensitive about taking up other people's time, because I feel like I'm not worth taking up the space (physically or otherwise). It all just causes constant anxiety and depression, but I've only been in therapy for 2 sessions and haven't gotten my real psychologist yet...

It's such a slow process. I'm too young and "go go go" for this. :P

 

[Allen-deckard]

Ok I know this is not a cure or even a help to some but it does alot for me and looks natural.

I bought an iphone. No I'm not promoting any product. But I have alot of apts and have a very rough time in any kind of crowd. I also basically have an inability to go into public places like a grocery store or most restraunts. I dont have much problem with work anymore mainly just cause I work the graveyard shift as a custodian and dont have any social interaction there. It's a far cry from my past work but it works for me and I make my way.

Anyway whats the iphone done for me? Well it lets me keep my mind totally focused on something other than where I am. I play a stupid online massive multiplayer internet browser game called travian and I can focus all my attention to that stupid little game and try to forget where I am.
Besides that game I can browse the internet or play any sort of goofy little game that takes a little concentration.

I again am not promoting any kind of phone or game it's just something I have that helps me.

Oh and as far as the grocery store and such since I always wait in the car gives me something to keep me preoccupied with.

Just an idea.

 

[shiraz]

I am extremely self conscious too .... as you say, down to tiny details of posture etc..... I have improved as the years have gone by (38 now) but it has been difficult and I have to be constantly aware of not going overboard with it .... I tell my body to relax and smile (be open) and then listen to an audio book on my ipod to distract me.

if I know i am going to be too jumpy, I just arrive 5min's late and I am usually sent straight through ..... also have to remind myself that being late is OK, it is MY money and if 5min's saves me stress, then it is money well spent!

 

[a3a2]

I HATE sitting in the waiting area! I often keep a friend (who also has PTSD) on the cell with me the whole time.

 

[zoe]

I take people to therapy and other appts for a living and it never bothers me when I am with them. I guess because I want them to feel comfortable. When I read this I realized that I am uncomfortable when I "look" like the patient. When I take my date book with me I feel like I am just another caseworker waiting for a client.

So I guess my datebook is what helps ground me. I do encourage people to take things to do because whether medical or psych it can be a long wait and anxiety tends to build.

Zoe

 

[Grama-Herc]

I am shaking my head in agreement as I read this.

I have an electronic hand held solitaire game. I never leave home without it.

If I have to do any waiting, including unexpected traffic issues, I just get my game out. It has been my savior, especially with the amount of time I've been required to be away from home with mom and her health these days.

I highly recommend something of this sort to help you. It works great!!!

 

[pocketdoll]

Grama,

You get traffic anxiety too?? Wow, that's good to know. That is my worst hyper-vigilance scenario, and I have to do it 4 times a day in Orlando, FL traffic (I have two college classes in the morning, a break where I go home and rest, then two in the afternoon). All I do is think about all of the people around me, and whether I'm in anyone's way or if someone is going to cut me off or if I'm not moving fast/slow enough...

I used to have a hand-held Yahtzee game... I'll need to find it. Thanks for the tip.