When Easy Things Are Hard In Therapy

[amosmorris]

This was so true for me for such a long time. And after reading your post, I am suddenly rea...

@One step at a time: how long did it take?....just wondering...;)

 

[Gs172003]

I can relate, a couple of months ago I found myself slouching like a teenager, that is so weird, I thought...

I do it too when I have to talk about bad stuff ( well, avoid talking about it really) but can talk and sit just fine talking about anything else. Same with eye contact.

 

[Abstract]

Lack of eye contact is a symptom of PTSD! Its that common. I'm sure not for everyone as some personality types are going to be more challenging and less self protective in that way. I think of eye contact as being fundamentally about vulnerability and trust. If its not being done in a stare them down sort of way. Non challenging eye contact comes from a place of I'm OK with me and I'm OK with you.

The only way I can do eye contact generally is by dissociating. The best way I can describe that is that I go up into my head and perch there away from myself. I can't do it as much now that I am dissociating less in general. I am shocking in therapy. Therapy brings out all my trust issues super intensely.

I think normal relationships involve eye contact then looking away at times depending on what is happening. My natural tendency would be to never look into anyones eyes ever. Good luck with this!

 

[One step at a time]

@One step at a time: how long did it take?....just wondering...;)

Before answering your question, I have to say: many, many things are influencing the rate at which I am healing - the ways in which I was hurt, my current external circumstances, the degree to which I am desperate to heal, and the strength of the relationship between T and me. So really, how long this takes will vary wildly. Just as everyone's PTSD is different, everyone's healing is also different.

I started meeting with her a year ago (but I was away for May, June, July, and August this year). We met about twice a week for the first three or four months, and once a week after that.

 

[katz]

I think you should tell her you would prefer sitting on the floor again if that is what makes y...

Thank you so much for saying it that way! I'm always wanting to sit on the floor, but have never had the nerve to do it in an office. I feel like such a child, and don't want to make anyone uncomfortable, even the T.

--yet when you said that the position of looking "up" at the T. I would never have thought of that reason for sitting that way in any room.

 

[watundah]

My T always sat on the floor, too. I think it is better than being in a submissive position. ;)

 

[katz]

My T always sat on the floor, too. I think it is better than being in a submissive position. ;)[/QUOTE...

To me it would feel like the T is a childhood friend of mine and we were just "hanging out". I might even have an easier time confiding in the T. Hmmm?