Length of sessions

[AmZ]

I really wasn't expecting these replies. Honestly. And I thank you all for them, because really, it wasn't what I was digging for and is nice to see how really caring everyone is genuinely and to also know that I am not doing something wrong or irritating on here! Thank you all for your words of support.

I'm sorry if I said something to upset you AmZ. I sure hope that is not why you have decided to leave, I can definitely back off.

STP - Trust me, it was nothing you said. You have been more than helpful.

Does it seem logical to either do what you have been doing and feel better OR quit doing that with no other support to feel worse?

Not really. I know it's not logical. I don't know why, I just felt/got the wrong impression or thought that I was posting too much. It's just me and my messed up mind and emotions and way I am seeing things. I guess I've just been upset more and more about my mum and generally not having a physical human being there for me, so for whatever reason, was going to back off here also and I guess, go back in to my own thoughts by myself. Which I know I don't want to do. Things are difficult enough.

My thoughts and emotions are rapidly changing from hour to hour, to minute to minute especially in the last couple of days. These vivid dreams are very weird but maybe a positive thing (!) as all of my issues are coming out in them, my deep subconscious thoughts that I don't/can't even get to during the day and are coming out when I sleep. For the last 3 mornings, I've woken up and have been crying in my sleep (but stop once I wake up) but am left with my heart beating so fast and my breathing accelerated also, pretty much waking up having a panic attack and is taking me some time to calm down using the breathing techniques. Like I say, I'll try to take the positives, because it's amazing to see my real issues come out in the dreams, they are telling me stuff that I don't even realize. Just not such pleasant things of course But has to come out at some point!

Thank you buffy55 also - I appreciate it.

And Dr Baxter. Thanks. I know you're a busy man, so can't post back a lot, and if I had the money, I'd come over to Canada and I'd love for you to be my psychologist lol - I think you have a hell of a lot of knowledge and understanding. I really feel like you know a lot about what is going on with me... Same with other people on the forums here also. Thanks for all of your advice and replies along the way.

I have found a psychologist and we've come to a deal which I hope works. Her price was a little higher than average, so she said that we can do it a bit cheaper if we meet twice a week for the first 3 weeks (so that's 6 sessions) and then do a further 9 weeks at the same reduced price and meet once a week. If I need more sessions after this, then she said she'll need to go up to her original price. Fine. It's a good deal for her and me, and hopefully it'll work out. In all honesty, anyway, I would prefer to meet with her twice a week to start with so that it's more intense and things can move quicker to start with and we can get a grip and what is going on with me. So hopefully everything will work out with her. She is abroad now, but is back next Tuesday, so I have decided to wait for her to get back as she seems really suited to what I need and nice. Not long to wait now Luckily she has 1 hour sessions haha, so what I prefer also.

Thanks again everyone, sincerely :friends:
Be seeing you all around.

 

[Andy]

Good to see you back AmZ. :2thumbs:

I thought I was to blunt with you as I say what I think and sometimes that is to much (Probably most times, ok all the time. ).

I am glad you have found a Psychologist who agreed to bring down her fee. Twice a week for an hour is great too!

Things are looking up, it all just takes a little time. Congrats, I'm happy for you.

Have a good afternoon, night and week.

 

[AmZ]

Thanks STP... I can see that you are a very kind and nice person... You weren't too blunt, don't worry. You said things like they are and it's good you said them. You were right what you said about the hospital and seeking attention and it not working, so no point in doing it! And is of course a bad direction to go in...

Have a great err, I guess, a great night (or what is left of it) and a great day ahead of you!!

It's 1pm here and I am at work, working as hard as I can to not drive myself crazy with my thoughts and not get anxious. The OCD thing has been constantly happening now for a few days, tapping my teeth together and my fingers etc... But so far today, asides from my bus journey to work where I did it a few times, it's better. Think as long as I am busy doing something, it doesn't happen too much at all, so going to keep busy at work!

Hope everyone enjoys their Sunday! Ah, I remember the old days living in England working Mon-Fri... Now I live here, it's Sun-Thrs.. So on I go

Desiderata:

Which reminds me, England is one of the U.S.A.'s strongest allies. Do the English still seem to have a superiority complex over the American's?
I have read and heard that they think they are much more civilized and cultured than Americans and we are still in our infancy while they have been a power for centuries.

Haha, mmm, I kind of think it's the other way around!? It's definitely not seen like this in England. The US is seen as the superpower and far from being in their infancy. But of course, the attitude in England is that we still also have a decent amount of say and some world power compared to a lot of other countries. You're right about the allies thing, but I think even people in England see the US as being the 'stronger one' in the 'relationship'.

I haven't lived in England for nearly 4 years now however, and am very detached from it all. I have no interest in the country to be honest (!) and much prefer to be where I am now... Maybe things have changed since I have gone, so maybe I answered your questions incorrectly! LOL.

 

[Cat Dancer]

Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you. I struggle with OCD as well and it's hard. I hope the psychologist works out. Meeting twice a week sounds like a good idea.

 

[AmZ]

Thanks cat dancer. Much appreciated.

I wish you all the very best also. I know that you have been through some very tough times also recently.

It's my first time in therapy and first time that I am doing something about the OCD (which I've had for 10 years already) as it hasn't bothered me in the past... But of course now, it's gotten really bad, plus the almost 3 months of v bad anxiety I have had that I've never had before in my life -- So will be interesting to see how it goes! I hope I'm going to learn a lot about myself and learn a lot of tools for the future so that I won't be dealing with this too much for the rest of my life. I've said before, but I am 25, and it scares me to think about the whole life ahead of me and want to be happy and in control of it.

Thanks again for your words of support.

I hope that I can get to a point of being able to help and advise others also. For now, I can't even do it for myself so it's difficult to know what to suggest to others! But sending my best wishes to everyone on the forum regardless! :friends:

 

[Ryan Howes]

Hi AmZ -

I realize this response is coming several months after your initial question and you probably have your answer about the 50 minute session, but I wrote something on this a couple years ago called 600 Ticks (of the clock, not bugs) and you can find it here: 600 Ticks | Psychology Today . I suggest clients "take the whole hour" by showing up 10 minutes early to relax, collect their thoughts and get ready for the session. Most find that helpful. Best wishes!