Has anybody ACTUALLY benefited from seeing a therapist??

[RadioNate]

I have PTSD stemming from a childhood incident.

I actually can't talk about it yet but it has caused problems for years. I have 2 wonderful therapists.

This can help you.

 

[Calliaz]

You could have a thyroid imbalance also.

This is soooo true. Even though my thyroid levels were in the "normal" range, once an endocrinologist decided to try treating my mood improved tremendously. It is really amazing.

 

[Planogirl]

I may be very unpopular for this. But I agree with seeing about medication in ADDDITION to therapy. And I agree with going to a psychiatrist (get a reccomendation from your primary care physician or a friend) to get the right meds and the right dose. Even if you don't have any biological basis in your "issues" i.e. no low seretonin or dopamine etc... Meds can help you "calm down" enough and rationalize your thoughts enough to actually deal with your issues in therapy. For me, I can get so panicky and freaked out that I can't be rational enough to use my "coping skills" learned in therapy at times. So meds can take me down enough to actually use what i've been taught. I'm not suggesting you definitely use meds. Just don't be afraid to go there if you need to. Much love!

I dealt with a situation some years and was sent to a psychiatrist. He perscribed medication and sent me to a wonderful therapist who was a psychologist. Unfortunately she moved away after some time but she helped me get back on my feet.

OP, you might just want to try it and if it doesn't work just quit going. But do consider giving it a chance.

 

[starrzone]

In regards to the title of your post, OP, I'll let you know; I have my first visit with a psychologist on the 23rd of this month. I'm currently on medications, which are helping my depression, but I KNOW that I need psychotherapy as well. I resisted for over 2 years after I found out I had the condition, but I realized that now is the time or else I won't be able to get on with my life. Good luck with what you decide .

 

[Mad4Mickey]

My "issues" have nothing to do with our marriage at all. Actually it's better than it's ever been I think he is just so concerned for my well-being. I am open to it I just have never known anyone to see a therapist and was just curious about it.

Out of the blue I have started to have some serious panic attacks which led to insomnia which in turn led to some depression and very weird mood swings. Not sure what's going on but he is begging me to see a therapist and Im not quite sure why Im dragging my feet. I just keep thinking I can handle it on my own when in reality it's getting worse. I did see a Dr. last week to prescribe something to help me sleep.

Go on it wont hurt to try , I have a sleeping disorder and that Insomnia will not be your BFF ! Ask your regular Doctor if he has anyone he likes to refer to . You dont have to just see that one , if you dont like the 1st one keep going till you find one you click with

 

[jamimb]

OP here. thanks to everyone who responded.

The doc that I referred to several posts back who gave me meds to help me sleep is a psychiatrist. She gave me an anti-anxiety to take for 2 weeks (I know can be really habit-forming and I did resist at first but she said I needed it) and she also gave me Trazodone to use as a sleep aid. Took the Trazodone one time and. Worst experience of my whole life!!!! Woke up very drugged, skin was crawling, dry heaving, blinding headache and didnt even have the strength to get dressed by myself. Cried for hours I felt so bad and it took arounnd 36 hrs for all the effects to wear off. The anti-anxiety however I love! I take one and within minutes I am alseep and stay asleep all night.

Anway I DO NOT want to be medicated all my life!!! I want to work through whatever is causing this. I am the kind of person who doesn't even like taking Tylenol so for me to take all these meds I really have to be desperate.
I did bite the bullet just today and made an appointment with a pyschologist. The 1st opening she had was not for another two weeks though.
I think it's a real darn shame that you cant go to a pschiatrist for meds and therapy!!!!!!

 

[iggbees]

i love going to my therapist. i love that it's just my time to talk to someone about things that are happening in my life and how to work through them. i have gone through a lot of my feelings and thoughts with my therapist and we've worked through some of my anxiety and other issues that i have. i have a fantastic boyfriend who has been with me through so much and this was kind of my gift to him, because i think that if i kept going with my anxiety i was going to finally drive him away. i didn't want that happening, so i decided to get help.

i've also been to a biofeedback specialist, which helped a bit, but i wasn't really excited about having to sit there and listen to the noise my sweat makes when its translated into the computer. it just made me anxious. the good thing about the biofeedback was that i started thinking logically about things and that's been very beneficial with my therapy sessions now.

i did have to go through 2 therapists to find the one that i am with now. when you like your therapist, you'll know that one is a keeper.

i just read your post above and i feel the same way about meds. i have pretty high anxiety and i was on lexapro for a year. i realized that i did not want to be on lexapro and i wanted to do something and be proactive about my mental health in another way. seeing a therapist has really helped me.

 

[minkydog]

I loved mine , but have had friends that didnt get much out of it.

You must feel comfortable with your therapist and you MUST BE HONEST with your therapist.

If you can't be honest and open up then there is no reason to go . Also they may ask hubby to go , all your issues may not be your own and he needs to be involved if asked to be.

This is the best advice. You have to be very comfortable with the therapist because the very nature of therapy is that you make yourself vulnerable in order to gain understanding. A good therapist doesn't sit around giving advice. They mostly listen. They don't interpret your feelings for you--they help YOU do that. The work belongs to you. A lot of people have a hard time being honest with their therapists, choosing to withhold information. These would be the same people who probably don't get much out of their therapy.

I would highly recommend therapy if you're going through difficulties that can't be easily managed, like marital issues. The therapist will not "fix" anything--she'll leave that to you. I have found good therapy to be vital to my mental health when stress is bearing down on me.Just talking in a safe, neutral environment where I'm not going to be criticised or told that I shouldn't feel a certain way has been extremely helpful to me.

Therapy isn't like you might have seen on TV. There's no laying on the couch(well, I suppose you could if you wanted to), there are no psychotics sitting around int he waiting room. If you are ready to be honest with yourself and your therapist you will probably glean some understanding of your part in your current troubles. We can't change what other people say and do, but we can change the way we respond to them. Food for thought.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

OP here. thanks to everyone who responded.

The doc that I referred to several posts back who gave me meds to help me sleep is a psychiatrist. She gave me an anti-anxiety to take for 2 weeks (I know can be really habit-forming and I did resist at first but she said I needed it) and she also gave me Trazodone to use as a sleep aid. Took the Trazodone one time and. Worst experience of my whole life!!!! Woke up very drugged, skin was crawling, dry heaving, blinding headache and didnt even have the strength to get dressed by myself. Cried for hours I felt so bad and it took arounnd 36 hrs for all the effects to wear off. The anti-anxiety however I love! I take one and within minutes I am alseep and stay asleep all night.

Anway I DO NOT want to be medicated all my life!!! I want to work through whatever is causing this. I am the kind of person who doesn't even like taking Tylenol so for me to take all these meds I really have to be desperate.
I did bite the bullet just today and made an appointment with a pyschologist. The 1st opening she had was not for another two weeks though.
I think it's a real darn shame that you cant go to a pschiatrist for meds and therapy!!!!!!

My dd's plan on meds is to take the med for 1 yr and then back off of it. If she is doing fine then great. However if she is not then then psych. said you go on the meds for 2yrs. and then back off.
If you do ok, then great. If not then you go back on them long term.

So maybe that will give you some perspective.

The key is to work thru your stuff within that yr. It is a process that takes time. Good Luck.

 

[Calliaz]

she also gave me Trazodone to use as a sleep aid. Took the Trazodone one time and. Worst experience of my whole life!!!! Woke up very drugged, skin was crawling, dry heaving, blinding headache and didnt even have the strength to get dressed by myself. Cried for hours I felt so bad and it took arounnd 36 hrs for all the effects to wear off.

That is really interesting. I am so sorry it affected you that way. I, on the other hand, love Trazodone. But, I think it's just further evidence that it takes some trial and error to figure out what is right for you.

You may need medication all you life and you may not. The best you can do is focus on right now and let the future work itself out.

 

[mtemm]

yes yes yes

it helps to find the right fit, so do your research.

my individual therapist helped me thru a very rough time in my life, and ended up helping me in ways that I never saw coming. still check in with her from time to time.

dh and I have seen 2 different couples counselors. the first was a very poor fit and wouldn't have worked regardless. the 2nd was very different and has helped.

eta, I agree with pp about being open/honest and doing the work involved. also about cognitive behavoiral therapy. really made a difference in my life.

good luck!