Is Therapy Worth It?

[JustJules89]

I started psychotherapy in September and I feel like my mental health has taken a huge hit. Since December it has just been horrid. I feel like I have just royally messed myself up. I've isolated myself so badly I don't think I can get myself out.

[blackcat64013]

I am sorry that you are feeling lost and perhaps hopeless. This is your mental health self-talk taking a hit. When you're struggling with your mental health, this is just the time to see a therapist who can provide professional and clinical guidance to overcome your challenges.

Hoping you can see light at the end of the tunnel.

[CL3V3R-G1RL]

I'm sorry you are having a hard time right now. Therapy can be worth it but here's a couple of things;

1. Therapy only works if you are willing to open up and talk about some hard issues. Therapist can't treat things they don't know about. Like if you have a overwhelming feeling that you are alone. But when you show up to your session and he/she asks how was your week or day and you say fine. Sure, they may pry a little. But if you still insist you have it under control and everything is fine. Well they are going to take you at your word.

2. You may need meds. Therapist can't prescribe that. You may need a psychiatrist for medication management. Really most antidepressants are prescribed not only to help with the depression and anxiety but also to help with therapy. To help you open up more.

3. Sometimes you may need to fire your therapist. Therapists work best if you feel comfortable with your therapist. Not every therapist you meet, you may not click with them. For example, I fired my therapist after seeing her for about a year. I thought she okay. But not extremely helpful. Didn't give any homework or things for me to think about or work on until our next session. So when I went through a very bad setback, she was absolutely no help. I realized for my sanity and care, I needed to find another therapist that really gets me. And it took some time and I did. I really clicked with this therapist. She has been very helpful to me.

My December wasn't great either. I understand. I also withdrew from everyone because I had really bad anxiety and dealing with emetophobia. I dropped down to 97lbs in 3 or 4 months. There was talk of putting me in a hospital. But here I am. New therapist and psychiatrist because my old ones were not helpful or encouraging. I found new people. Got a better support system and I am a pound heavier 98lbs now soon I hope to be 99lbs. Like you I thought I have really f'd myself up to the point of no return. However it's amazing what a little encouragement from the right people can do.

I believe you can get yourself out of this spiral. You just need help. I hope we at HU can be a support system where if you need to vent or share something. We got you.

Sending love and hugs 🫂 ❤️

[JustJules89 in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

My therapist is amazing. The moment I saw her picture I knew she was someone I could talk with about my past. I just worry that bringing it all back up has done more harm than good. I want to believe its just everything coming up and my body/mind is fighting hard to continue to protect myself. I did just start a second medication on top of my current meds. Hopefully its gives me the kick I need.

I made a really stupid decision to cut off people I really care about. It was spur of the moment thing due to issues within the group. I thought I was doing what was best for them/thinking I was protecting them. So now.... I'm basically all alone and lost one of the things that made me happy. I am trying to repair/reconcile with at least one of my friends.... I just don't know how that is going to go.

It put me into a really deep depression... I was even having SI and went farther than I had ever gone when that was on my brain. I had notes ready, the means prepared... yeah I was really moving towards the act. I think I'm getting away from that part. But back to just feeling lonely since my normal routines are all over the place.

I'm for sure bringing up these concrns in my next session. She is pretty convinced that something is trying to come up. I'm scared to see what it is but I am ready to face it head on

[CL3V3R-G1RL in reply to JustJules89]

Well that is one of the things that is mentioned in therapy or at least should be mentioned that talking about past traumas can open old wounds. I don't think it's causing more harm. I think like you put it, your mind felt it needed to protect you. So you just blocked it out or set it off somewhere else in your mind to not deal with it. At that time it was the best thing you could do for yourself. However the body keeps score of putting of things and not really dealing with it. So yeah your brain is going to fight it because that's the coping skills you learned. Now you have to unlearn it. Which is a pain the butt.

I'm glad you like your therapist and yes, share with her your concerns about these traumas being brought up might me too much too soon. Maybe break it up into bite size. Or until you been on this new medication for a while and try again.

I'm sorry to hear about the friendship lost. Sometimes yeah, we get in our own way. We think we are sparring them from our turmoil. But we didn't stop to ask them if they are willing to ride it out with me or not. I'm glad you are trying to reconnect with 1 of them. Maybe ask your therapist if you can bring in the friend to help smooth things out and make amends with your friend.

I wish you the best of luck. I know you can do this!

🫂❤️

[hypercat54 in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

Great reply x

[Stippler]

It might be that there is another therapist you could see - somebody who you feel understands you better? The first therapist is not always the best. It took me several years with a bad therapist to see that. Not sure if this is helpful but thought I would share it. Best of luck to you. Don't give up.