Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 531166

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Anyone call their T's answering machine?

Posted by sleepygirl on July 21, 2005, at 20:45:57

I sometimes do this if I feel the need to make contact. I usually don't say much just something like "Uh, yeah, Hi it's me...I'm fine, just calling to say hello, uh huh, well see you later." I am such a freak! I have nothing and everything to say all at the same time!!

 

Re: Anyone call their T's answering machine? » sleepygirl

Posted by Dinah on July 21, 2005, at 22:09:13

In reply to Anyone call their T's answering machine?, posted by sleepygirl on July 21, 2005, at 20:45:57

Mine knows that I call just to hear his voice and feel connected. And I don't usually leave a message then.

It's kind of annoying because drat it! He can't read my mind! So if I call and listen to his machine and that's all I need, we're both fine with that. But when I call and don't leave a message, but really want him to know that I need him to return my call anyway, the darn man doesn't know the difference!!

Well, sometimes he does. If there's clear context.

It might be interesting for you to bring it up and talk it over with your therapist. You probably aren't alone in doing that, and your therapist will most likely understand like mine did.

 

Re: Anyone call their T's answering machine? » sleepygirl

Posted by 10derHeart on July 21, 2005, at 22:12:31

In reply to Anyone call their T's answering machine?, posted by sleepygirl on July 21, 2005, at 20:45:57

I do but....at this point anyway....I would NEVER talk! I couldn't.

I just want to hear the outgoing message.

It provides some comfort...but not as much as I'd like. He just doesn't sound like "him,"...you know like the way your own recorded voice usually sounds really weird and not like you....

It's cool your relationship is such that you don't mind actually speaking.

Not complaining, though. I can email my T. 24/7, and he ALWAYS responds :-)

 

Re: Anyone call their T's answering machine?

Posted by LadyBug on July 21, 2005, at 23:07:49

In reply to Anyone call their T's answering machine?, posted by sleepygirl on July 21, 2005, at 20:45:57

Funny you should ask. I just left my T a message about 30 min. ago. I said to her I need my "her name" tonight. I know I'll look back in a week or two and be imbarassed by calling and saying that. I said I'm not hurting anyone, it's just where I am this week also I'm just being little right now.
Most the time she will call be back on my cell phone and leave me a voice mail and I have something I can listen to over and over and she's talking directly to me. I love voice mail. It's the connection we need sometimes between appointments. I try not to call very often but some weeks are easier to do that than others. This has been "my keep close to my T. week" I guess.
LadyBug

 

Re: Anyone call their T's answering machine?

Posted by messadivoce on July 22, 2005, at 0:35:31

In reply to Re: Anyone call their T's answering machine?, posted by LadyBug on July 21, 2005, at 23:07:49

If my male T had had personal voice mail you'd better believe he'd be on speed dial!!! I actually wish that I could just get his new # now and listen over and over.

When I started treatment with my 2nd T, I called the health center and she called back and left a message on my cell. I listened to that message over and over, even though I didn't know her yet! Somehow it made me feel a little better even though the relationship wasn't in place yet! Weird huh.

 

Re: Anyone call their T's answering machine?

Posted by B2chica on July 22, 2005, at 9:27:47

In reply to Re: Anyone call their T's answering machine?, posted by messadivoce on July 22, 2005, at 0:35:31

hope it's not too wierd cuz one time my pdoc called to let me know my Rx were ready and i could pick them up...i just can't bare to delete that message. it's his voice, it just has that protective, confidant and supportive sound.
sometimes i just play it and it makes me smile.
b2c.

> When I started treatment with my 2nd T, I called the health center and she called back and left a message on my cell. I listened to that message over and over, even though I didn't know her yet! Somehow it made me feel a little better even though the relationship wasn't in place yet! Weird huh.

 

Re: Anyone call their T's answering machine?

Posted by spalding on July 22, 2005, at 10:34:05

In reply to Re: Anyone call their T's answering machine?, posted by B2chica on July 22, 2005, at 9:27:47

> hope it's not too wierd cuz one time my pdoc
>called to let me know my Rx were ready and i
>could pick them up...i just can't bare to delete
>that message. it's his voice, it just has that
>protective, confidant and supportive sound.
> sometimes i just play it and it makes me smile.

b2c, I've done that too, with both my pdoc and my T.'s messages, especially if they relate to what I'm going through, their thoughts, etc. I find it so very comforting when I need it.

With my pdoc, I probably leave one message between our sessions, which are every two weeks. I take one med as needed, so when I take it I let him know. Then sometimes I'll call with, "Help, I'm floundering a bit here, can I see you earlier or can we have a phone conference?"

In fact, I had left pdoc a message on Tuesday about the medication. I said he didn't have to call me back, but he called me on my mobile yesterday evening just to check on me -- so caring and nice. I was touched.

My T. has a non-urgent home office number and a pager. Since he's told me to, I use the pager all the time, whether it's for a routine message or a "I need help" message. In fact, yesterday I called him to see if he had time this Saturday because I know I'll need some extra support this weekend with the 1,000 issues I have with eating, weight, etc. I can feel a binge coming on and I want to short-circuit the feelings if I can.

So yes, they are both very generous with their phone policies. Thank dog.

spalding

 

Re: Anyone call their T's answering machine?

Posted by rabidreader on July 22, 2005, at 12:36:30

In reply to Re: Anyone call their T's answering machine?, posted by spalding on July 22, 2005, at 10:34:05

I also call answering machines and keep messages. I think it's harmless and not at all "stalkerish" or bad. If I get some free comfort and it keeps me going and isn't hurting anyone, then there's nothing wrong with it.

 

Re: Anyone call their T's answering machine?

Posted by LittleGirlLost on July 25, 2005, at 9:01:35

In reply to Anyone call their T's answering machine?, posted by sleepygirl on July 21, 2005, at 20:45:57

I would like to, and I do call, but she almost always answers. Sometimes I wish I could just hear her answering machine and hang up, but it's a rare occurrence.

Although... last year when she went on vacation, I told her I did that; listened to her answering machine and then hung up. She didn't mind at all. :) I forgot to tell her I did it this time too.

Don't worry, I think it's totally nomal to do that. It helps to feel connected.

~lgl


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