![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 15 to 39 of 150. Go back in thread:
Posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 23:23:56
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 16, 2003, at 18:25:32
I think that the therapists have to share some of the blame for the pain. It is their job to resolve it. If the pain isn't resolving then I think that they haven't done their job.
I know that I couldn't talk with my old therapist about what happened. I could smile and say "Hi". I might be able to say "I'm doing OK. Dr. X is working out fine. How are you?" But that would be it. She wouldn't push.
I'm missing my old therapist's comfort while the new guy is on vacation. But no way do I want to see her face to face. I thought about listening to her answering machine today.
Sigh.
Hope you are enjoying the stars.
Posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 0:45:55
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy?, posted by allisonf on August 16, 2003, at 22:43:41
Chuckle. That was what my husband said the other day too!!!! That I'm often in worse shape when I leave therapy than when I go in. And when is he going to fix me already!
I have no real way of explaining that the reason is that in therapy I access the feelings I so often keep blocked, and so naturally I'm more unstable after. Now whether or not that's a good thing I don't know.
I know what car my therapist drives but for a slightly different reason. I've run into him a couple of times outside therapy because we live really close to one another. And no, I didn't find that out on purpose. I had hoped he lived way across town and found out differently accidentally. When I found out, I asked what would happen if I accidentally backed my car into his or something. Would he still be my therapist? And he said, yes, so long as I have insurance. lol. I have this thing where I don't want to see or talk to him *at all* outside the therapy room. So when I saw him in the stores I ran off before he could see me. Once I admitted it to him, once I didn't bother. But the second time there were only a few cars in the parking lot, and he had told me generally what sort of car he drove and there was only one. So I made a note of the license plate. Now whenever I go to a local store, I check all similar cars to make sure it isn't his. I haven't seen his yet, but if I do, I'll skip going to the store. Last thing I want is to run across him at the drugstore with heaven only knows what in his basket, and be confronted with heaven only knows what about the real person. Yech. Or, even more awkward, running into him with his family or when I have mine. "Son, this is my therapist." I don't think so.
Posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 0:47:05
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 23:23:56
To borrow from another thread, Don't pick up that phone! Or at least not until your new therapist comes back in town to process whatever emotions it brings up.
But I know I don't have to tell you that. :)
Posted by fallsfall on August 17, 2003, at 6:21:34
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 0:47:05
Posted by allisonf on August 18, 2003, at 21:35:44
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf, posted by Dinah on August 17, 2003, at 0:45:55
It's funny b/c it seems like most of us are wanting to find out all this info about our therapists (ie. cars, etc.) so that we can find ways to run into them, but you use the information to make sure you do *not* run into yours! I can definitely see how some situations (like the drug store) could be incredibly awkward. I can honestly say that I really don't want to know what kind of birth control my therapist is using!
Did your therapist ever ask you about those times when you saw him and ran off or didn't he know you were there? Once I ran into my therapist right before session getting coffee at Starbucks. It was the most uncomfortable thing. I ran over to the milk area before she did b/c I didn't want her to see me using half&half (she is so thin, I'm sure she uses skim), then we took the elevator together and it was just so weird making small talk. I admire you for trying to avoid those situations.
I was thinking of you today when I drove thru my therapist's town (for another reason). If she lived close to me, I would just be constantly looking for her! How do you do it? BTW, that's so funny what he said about the insurance! lol
Posted by Dinah on August 19, 2003, at 0:03:16
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » Dinah, posted by allisonf on August 18, 2003, at 21:35:44
He can be funny, especially when I come up with some of my harebrained questions. :) His flexibility of thought is what makes him a good therapist for me.
I've only run into him twice, although I have a constant subliminal sort of radar going. It was at the book store the night after my psych testing. I could swear I heard his laugh, thought I was being paranoid because I had an armful of psych books about testing (I didn't cheat, it was after), and peeked. Sure enough, it was him. I dumped the books on whatever aisle I was on and ran like a startled hare out of that store. That time I discussed it with him, because I was afraid he had seen me. I 'fessed up about the books, too.
We had already discussed that I didn't like seeing him outside of the therapy room, not even in the waiting room. I was rather blunt about it once, so he quit escorting me out. He does have to escort me in, but he doesn't make small talk. I just don't think of him as therapist-him outside of the therapy room. He's this almost-stranger who's seen me emotionally naked more times than I can count while he's always been emotionally clothed. It's awkward.
I got pretty upset when I found out I could easily walk to his house on an evening stroll. I quizzed him about the local groceries and such. We do go to the same restaurants apparently, but not yet at the same time. And we use the same drugstore. But by the time I found out, he had already lived there for a year, and he quite rightly pointed out that if it hadn't been a problem in all that time, it probably wouldn't be.
So when I saw him at the drugstore I ducked down a side aisle, kept tabs on where he was, dropped off my prescription, and made my escape. I don't think he saw me, and it didn't seem important enough to mention. He knows I hate to see him already. I saw him walking in his building Friday. I was a bit ahead of him, ducked into an elevator, and prayed it would take off before he came in. He must have slowed down, because it did. Once I slowed down, but not enough, and had to ride up the elevator while he was wolfing down a candy bar for lunch.
Posted by stebby on August 19, 2003, at 14:17:12
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy?, posted by allisonf on August 16, 2003, at 22:43:41
Hi Allison, Reading one of your old posts is the reason I first decided to post on this board...it sounded so much like me...it hadn't occured to me that there might actually be other people out there going through similar situations. I too am waiting for the thread that describes how the transference works itself out. I have to say that this time around I am a little more accepting of it versus my firsttransferences experience with a therapist when the feelings nearly blind sided me. At least now I can say, ok, this is just transference and there is a reason its happening. (These rational thoughts are on my more "stable" days.) Other days I feel so desperate to escape it since I know the longing will never be reciprocated. Of course, there is always the secret hope that it somehow my feelings will be reciprocated...and then another realization that it won't happen...its a viscious cycle!
How long have you been in therapy and why did you go into it? Have you let your therapist in on the extent of your transference feelings?
Regarding what to do so you don't affect the kids is a question I often ponder. I am just trying to connect with them as much as I can. I finally entered therapy when my little one asked me if I ever smiled anymore. That was heartbreaking! I am so afraid they will end up like me. They definitely force me to keep it together. I guess we can only do the best we can do.
Posted by stebby on August 19, 2003, at 14:27:55
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 23:23:56
Camping was a very good distraction. I think being away gets my mind off of therapist obsessions. In fact part of me doesn't want to go back to therapy because it just re-intensifies the feelings. I always wonder what would have happened if I never entered therapy and just took AD's. all of this would have never happened and my depression would have probably improved anyway. Will I somehow be better in the long run? Does anyone have an answer? Should I stop going...maybe I'm strong enough to make the break.
How are you anyway?
Posted by allisonf on August 19, 2003, at 16:01:02
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf, posted by Dinah on August 19, 2003, at 0:03:16
I guess he's probably right that if you haven't run into him that often after a year of living so close, it isn't likely to happen very frequently. I can't imagine how weird it would be to run into my therp while taking an evening stroll! And I can totally see about the psych testing books experience (did he do your testing?) It would seem like your hands were caught in the cookie jar even tho they really weren't.
I just have to tell you I thought it was the funniest image when you described your therp wolfing down a candy bar while in the elevator with you! ROFL!
Posted by allisonf on August 19, 2003, at 16:47:53
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf, posted by stebby on August 19, 2003, at 14:17:12
Glad you had a good trip camping! A little time with nature is always a good thing.
I actually think that's sort of cool that your transference replicated itself so quickly with your new therapist (like fallsfall). Like you said, it almost normalizes the feelings by showing that they are not as much love for your therapist as a reflection of old schemas and issues. But knowing that and feeling it are two separate things, I know! Intellectually, I know the bulk of it doesn't have to do with her, but then when I see her and she looks so pretty and kind, I can't help feeling love for her. So is it about the therapist's qualities at all? Do you find that your new transference follows the same exact pattern as the old?
I've been in therapy for 2 years now, but was in therapy 2-3 years with the same therapist back in 1993-1995,96. I never had any of these transference type feelings for her the first time around. But 2 years ago when I came to her, I was diagnosed with cyclothymia, which then became bp II (I really think I have bp nos). I think that my increased vulnerability this time around contributed to the dev't of my transference feelings. Also, my hypomania plays a part in it--I am much more obsessed with her when I am hypomanic or when I am trying to push myself up out of a depressed state.
I have shared with her my feelings--the nitty, gritty sexual fantasies, the maternal bit, the desire to be sisters, the feeling that I know we would be friends but for this therapy thing (we really do have a lot in common, I know I'm not imagining that!). She is...I don't know. At first she actually told me that she thought we shouldn't talk about it b/c it was feeding my hypomania. That set off alarm bells. But then when she saw I was having such a hard time, she did get into it--but like a true cognitive behavioralist--she reality tested, talked about childhood schemas, etc. She says the obssesive part will go away when we find the right meds. But here all of you are going thru it and it's not all about the meds. Even tho our work on it hasn't been perfect, I still have faith that she can help me. She has been great about just accepting what I say and trying not to let her stuff get into it.
How has your husband been handling it? Have you told him everything? Have you told your new therapist everything you are feeling too?
Thanks for your thoughts on the kids. You said you have boys, 4 and 7, right? It's so hard keeping it together and meeting all of their needs when I am so emotionally taxed. But they are definitely an incentive to recover.
Keep me posted.
Posted by stebby on August 19, 2003, at 20:03:55
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by allisonf on August 19, 2003, at 16:47:53
It sounds like your therapist is handling your situation well. It must have been pretty difficult to reveal all of those feelings. I found dicussing the sexual feelings pretty much mortifying. Its interesting that she thinks your obsessions are related to the hypomania. I did not realize that was part of hypomania. I wonder if that's why my pdoc suggested that I might have bipolar disorder. I just have never seen myself as hypomanic before. It makes sense that your transference feelings started when you were very vulnerable. That seems to hold true for me as well.
It is interesting how the transference feelings started with my second therapist (like fallsfall)relatively soon after I began with her. However, I was still devastated by the loss of my old therpist. The feelings and fantasies I have about her are very similar even though they are two very different people. My new therapist is a lot smarter. I found my old therapist more attractive and warm and fuzzy, but her inexperience really showed. I feel like my new therapist is really in control of the situation or at least she fakes it well. Still, a lot of what I think about is maternal stuff, being sisters, best friends, being part of her family, getting invited over for holidays, you know! I'm like you in that intellectually I really know that its not reality, but you can't intellectualize the feelings
My husband does not know about my transference with my new therapist. I eventually filled him in on what happened with my old therapist (neglecting the sexual feelings part), and he was pretty understanding. I find it very difficult to discuss this with him as he was pretty upset just about the prospect of me going on AD's. Then he found out that I was cutting and had this obsession with my last therapist. Its been a lot for him to take in. Does your husband know about your transference? How is he handling it?
Posted by fallsfall on August 19, 2003, at 23:28:48
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 19, 2003, at 14:27:55
My understanding is that Meds help and Therapy helps, but that both Meds and Therapy helps more. I also heard that Therapy improvements last longer (makes sense - it is like you learn something, so you would keep that for a while. Once the meds are gone, they are gone).
I know that I'm not strong enough to make the break! I don't know how you tell??
My transferences with the first therapist and with the second were almost identical. I was completely shocked at how similar they were and how quickly it happened.
My therapist is home from vacation. I missed him. I saw him today, and am feeling better now.
Posted by stebby on August 20, 2003, at 19:23:04
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by fallsfall on August 19, 2003, at 23:28:48
Today I'm defintely on a "I should leave therapy" kick. I'll keep the AD's, but I'm not really clear on what exactly the therapy is doing for me, other than causing me to obsess about myself and my therapist. Is this somehow healthy? Is this somehow insightful and goin g to help me with relationships. I think its making my relationship with my husband worse because I'd much rather think about her than him. He discussed his absolute frustration with me today and said we can't go on like this. He's right! Does anyone have an explanation?
Posted by fallsfall on August 20, 2003, at 19:49:07
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 20, 2003, at 19:23:04
When I changed from my old therapist to my new one, I felt immediately better - not cured, but much less anxious. I know that I still have issues to work on (including my dependency - like I had on her) so I couldn't just quit. I did find it helpful to interview therapists - the process of talking about what was going on and getting different people's feedback was really valuable.
Your obsession with your therapist probably demonstrates one of your issues. In my case I thought my therapist was angry because I did something wrong - this parallels how I would feel with my dad. There is probably a connection with your past. My Psychodynamic therapist is so much better with this stuff than my CBT therapist was.
Posted by jane d on August 20, 2003, at 22:12:28
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 16, 2003, at 13:47:29
> It does sound like we have a very similar situation. Do you still think about your old therapist much? Its been a year since we terminated, and I still look for her car where ever I go. She drives a blue Audi. Do you know how many blue Audi's there are on the road? 1,000,000's! I've almost gotten in car accidents trying to figure out if it was her driving by. Its so crazy, I wish I could make it go away.
>I think it makes sense to spend most of your time thinking about a person and a process that offers, basically, to save your life. That's a real relationship in it's own right - I'm not sure whether it's a good or a bad one - but it doesn't need to depend on your previous relationships.
Jane, who knows that she doesn't understand transference
Posted by Dinah on August 21, 2003, at 20:33:11
In reply to Is obsession with a therapist really transference?, posted by jane d on August 20, 2003, at 22:12:28
Absolutely, the feelings you have for your therapist can be based on that relationship alone, without any baggage from the past. (Or at least not without any more baggage than we normally carry around).
But I guess the difference is the intensity of the feelings we have for our therapists balanced with how little we really know them. I mean we don't really know them more than we do any other service providers in our lives but I don't think most people get as emotionally attached to their, oh.. darn. Can't think of an example.
So I think of transference as more attachment than can really be considered reasonable based on the level of reciprocal intimacy in the relationship.
Of course, the baggage from our past affects every relationship in our life. You know how I'm always afraid I've made my friends mad? I'm always afraid I've made my therapist mad too. I'm always afraid I've made everyone I care about mad. So ideally we could work on that in the therapeutic relationship more easily than other relationships. Ideally anyway......
Posted by allisonf on August 22, 2003, at 9:15:19
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf, posted by stebby on August 19, 2003, at 20:03:55
I can totally imagine feeling devastated by leaving your old therapist and still having the transference feelings for her. But I'm glad your new therapist is confident that she can handle the transference (and even said she was waiting for it to happen, right?) Did something specific happen in therapy recently that made you want to stop and just take the ADs? (I know...for me, not much has to happen. Once I had heard her spray perfume on herself while I was in the waiting room, then when I walked it, it was lingering in the air. Did she put on the perfume for my benefit? AS IF!)
Or is it related to the issues with your husband? With this...oh, I wish I had something more helpful to say, but I find I am often in the same sticky sort of situation. My husband is definitely jealous of my feelings for my therp, but I think b/c my therp is a woman, he is a little less threatened (tho he knows there is a sexual element, we don't talk about it much). Then again, I also don't think he realizes quite how deep my feelings for her go. He will tease me about it sometimes but then other times, he pressures me towards termination b/c he's afraid it's not helping me to be so obsessed with her. And there are times like you, I agree with him...if I spend a whole week with my head in the clouds over the perfume incident, how can that be helping me? I guess that's what forces me to be really upfront with my therapist about these situations when they happen so at least I can try to learn from them. But then again, just like you said, some of the situations are really too mortifying to disclose. Mostly, I think it's when my husband sees that I'm having such a hard time during an episode of some kind, and he experiences her helping me thru it (tho I know he's jealous that he's not as good at helping me thru it as she is) that he eases up on wanting me to quit. I think he also gets the theoretical concept of transference...but then again, I told him about a dream I had about my therp recently and he freaked. "You're dreaming about your therapist!" I didn't have the heart to tell him that I dream about her quite a bit.
It does seem like your husband has been trying to process a lot at once lately. I know it took my husband a *long* time to accept the use of psych meds to treat my condition (me too). And the cutting too, I know my husband gets really frightened by my suicidal thoughts or anytime I envision hurting myself. I think it is just such a foreign concept for him.
So, I feel for you about this issue and how it affects your marriage. I always end up opting to stick with the therapy (mostly b/c I'm too chicken to leave) but there are times I think I may be worse off for it.
Let us know...
Posted by stebby on August 22, 2003, at 20:06:31
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by allisonf on August 22, 2003, at 9:15:19
It sure sounds like we have a lot in common. What did your husband say when you said you had sexual feelings for her? I finally discussed some of this with my husband over the last few days. He was seeing our marriage going down the tubes, and it was completely freaking him out that I was talking to people on line. So, I told him just what we are talking about which seemed to make things better. I disclosed that I am having the same obsession I went through with the last therapist. He is doing his best to understand, but he is definitely struggling with the fact that he thought he married a really "together" person, and he keeps finding ut all this new stuff about me.
The pefume incident you discussed would have done the same to me. I would have wondered if she was she putting it on for me as well. I have to say that I find that a bit strange. Maybe she enjoys feeling wanted by you. Have you read "In Session." I am reading it right now after hearing about it from Dinah. Its very helpful.
I regards to your question about why I want to get out of therapy, it was not just one particular incident..well maybe...I don't know. You see, when I went to my next session following the one when i disclosed that I am "in love" again, I sensed a real distancing from my therapist. I am so afraid of this info freaking her out like it did my last therapist. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. Sometimes I just can't help feel that the situation continues to put you in a state of longing that can never be reciprocated. Is this somehow healthy? Unfortuabltely, I am so attached it would be devastating to leave. What a quandry! I imagine you must feel the same way. Is this really going to help me? It also makes me want my husband less...not good either. Maybe, I just can't do therapy! I'm on a major break from therpay here (three weeks). Part of me does not want to return because it will jsut re-intensify the longingsd again. Am I really going to "learn" something about myself from this? Are you learning about yourself from this experience? Maybe, I am learning that I have unmet needs and they aren't going to be met by her. Just great! Okay, I'm rambling again.
Are you feeling any better after your pills and alcohol incident? Is your therapist back from vacatron?
Posted by stebby on August 22, 2003, at 20:11:06
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by fallsfall on August 20, 2003, at 19:49:07
Even if you find out that these infatuations relate to something from your past, does it really help you to understand that? Isn't it just creating more pain and re-living the old pain. Maybe its better just to get on with life as best as you an. (I'm just playing devil's advocate here). Do you think you are better off for going through transference?
Posted by fallsfall on August 23, 2003, at 9:01:58
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 22, 2003, at 20:11:06
My transference is not love/infactuation. My transference is terror. I am afraid that if he is mad at me that I am evil. Now, logically, I can see that his opinion of what I do is no more important than my opinion of what I do. But I can't FEEL that way yet. If I don't figure this out, then I am always susceptible to being in a position where I am frantic and terrorized - trying to meet the perceived wishes of someone else, rather than making rational decisions myself. I only have this problem with "important" people - my dad, therapists, bosses, sometimes friends, too. But I do run into that kind of people on a regular basis, and it would be nice if I wasn't terrorized.
I didn't address this for 40 years, and it gets progressively worse. I think I have to address it now. I do understand it a lot better now. In the past I was just miserable. Now at least I know why I'm miserable. Is it worth it to go through the transference? I won't know until I get to the other side - But I am intending to get to the other side.
Are you aware of ways that your issue that causes the transference impacts your daily life?
Posted by stebby on August 23, 2003, at 19:33:45
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by fallsfall on August 23, 2003, at 9:01:58
I have had a lot of transference reactions to people in my life besdies my two therapists such as teachers, doctors, bosses...the same types of people. I know its an issue, but I question whether discussing it in therapy is going to resolve it. I already had a good idea of why it happens, and to go through it again in therapy is just a painful experience. I keep hoping that someone will say how therapy really helped them with these issues. Now you understand your transference, but you still feel it. I'm glad you have a positive attitude about it working for you, I'm sure that's half the battle. Have your feelings improved?
The whole tranference in therpay seems to just depress me more...always seeing and longing for what I can't have. Yes, well I didn't get something from my parents I needed, and I still can't have it...I'm just reminded daily of it now...that's the problem. Do you see why I question this?
Posted by fallsfall on August 23, 2003, at 21:39:05
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 23, 2003, at 19:33:45
Sure, I see why you question it. You've been there before and nothing has changed. Why will it change now? I don't understand how "working through" the transference solves the problem, but I have read enough so that I believe that it does. I figure that if my therapist knows how it works that we'll be all set. I haven't seen a clear description in a book of how it works, and I have looked pretty hard.
I really have seen an improvement. We kicked up the transference again on Thursday. I was scared, and panicked, and angry. I was pretty miserable. But when I could get some distance from it I could rationalize it and that took the emotion out of it. I don't know if rationalizing it is a "good" thing to do or not (I have been admonished in the past for intellectualizing everything) - but it has made it so that I can get through this weekend.
Whoever figures out what this "working through" is first can tell the other!
Posted by Dinah on August 23, 2003, at 22:48:47
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » fallsfall, posted by stebby on August 23, 2003, at 19:33:45
I think I've worked through it to some extent. Working on anger was a big issue. I'm beginning to believe that it is not the end of a relationship if people are angry with each other.
Abandonment we're still working on. But I have quit feeling terrified that he'll terminate me at any moment. I have quit having dreams where he terminates me. That's no longer my first question of the session. :)
I've learned to approach issues directly as they crop up in the relationship. And I'm getting much better about asking for what I need.
I don't know if those are transference issues exactly. But they are problems that crop up in all my relationships. And I'm getting better with them. We use our relationship to work on them since it's there. :) But we also use my relationship with my husband, and friends, and this board.
But the main thrust of our therapy isn't relationship issues or the transference. It's more shoring up my fragile coping mechanisms to last another week in teh real world. It's to keep me up and functioning. So there can be very real reasons to bother with therapy. :)
But it doesn't hurt to assess the benefits vs. costs from time to time. Unless of course the assessment is suggested by your therapist as mine did last week. Fortunately I had just spent some time thinking about the issues and so was able to come up with a cogent and compelling argument for why therapy did me more good than harm. I had just read the book:
"When to Say Goodbye to Your Therapist"
by Catherine JohnsonI really recommend it for helping you sort out your thoughts on this issue. And it has a decent discussion on transference as well. Not as good as "In Session" but pretty good.
Posted by allisonf on August 24, 2003, at 16:06:48
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » allisonf, posted by stebby on August 22, 2003, at 20:06:31
I agree, I think we do have a lot in common too. Especially when I saw that you had experienced this same phenomena with other people in your past--teachers, bosses, etc. That's why my therapist has linked this infatuation feeling with hypomania. Definitely, they do feed off each other--feeling these kinds of emotions really lead to hypomanic behavior in my case. Have you had this kind of thing happen just in your recent past or for a long time before you started therapy?
How have things with your husband been? I would think the fact that you've shared with him as much as you can--what you've written about here, your new obsession with this therapist--will really help once he spends a little time coming to terms with it. Has he felt better about things? My husband is better about it sometimes more than others...and about the sexual feelings, it's something we often dance around discussing. Sometimes, I actually think he's a little intrigued that I'm attracted to a woman and he teases me about it...then other times, I think he'll discount my therapist & I know it's b/c he's jealous. I don't know what the answer is--I try to deal with the erotic nature of therapy by writing about it and talking to my therp if it's necessary and possible (like I won't die of embarrassment). I've read that erotic transference is the most difficult to resolve. Again, we get back to what exactly is "resolution"?
I did read In Session. It is really the best I've read on the topic! I'm also reading that When to Say Goodbye book that Dinah recommeded and I think that the part about how your therp relationship can get in the way of your other relationships might be helpful--esp w/regard to the husbands. One other thing, even if the transference makes you feel like you want your husband less...I don't know...my therapist always sort of compartmentalizes this infatuation as something wholly different from the "real" relationship with my husband. Does that make sense?
Oh, I feel for you that you have a 3 week break. I just didn't do well with it this year. (But I am doing better since the pills/alcohol thing--thanks for asking. Just saw my pdoc and I'm starting a healthy dose of Geodon. Maybe that will do the trick?) But my best guess is that telling your therapist in your next session, all about your fears based on your last therapy experience, will help the most.
Have I been learning from the transference (the $64,000 question...)? Too soon to call. I'm hanging in even when it makes me crazy b/c everyone tells me that I'm supposed to. I know that these feelings stem from unmet parental needs & we've explored that...I know they are linked to hypomania...and with each situation, I learn something a little more specific about myself. But is it worth it? It depends on the day. Since my therp is back and so attentive, the feelings are back...I am sure something is bound to happen Tuesday! I will keep you posted & you too.
Posted by stebby on August 24, 2003, at 20:01:45
In reply to Re: Why bother with therapy? » stebby, posted by allisonf on August 24, 2003, at 16:06:48
So you have had these infatuations with other people as well. My first infatuation began in 7th grade and I have had one after another ever since, some really strong, others not so strong. I find it interesting that your therapist relates this to hypomania. Do the transference feelings lead to hypomania, or does hypomania lead to these feelings. What other symptoms do you have in relation to hypomania?
Yes, things with my husband seem to be better. I still haven't clued him into the erotic feelings yet. I really think he will have a hard time with that, but it probably should be addressed.
I do know what you mean about the "real" relationship with my husband being wholly different. I've sometimes taken my erotic feelings and tried to project them on him. That seems to be a good thing to do with them...he likes it anyway, but then I ask myself, is this ok? I mean, fantasizing about someone else during sex with my husband?
Glad to hear that you are doing better and life is stable again.
I will definitely look into that book that you and Dinah mentioned. The In Session" book was quite interesting, but at times it really made me think about whether or not therapy is useful (I'm back to this again). I mean, so many women reported unsuccessful therapy and even unresolved transference. On the other hand its discussion about what happens when boundaries are crossed was very useful, making me realize how it would never work out if that somehow happened in my therapy. It was good to have that re-enforced on me!
Hope all is well with you...
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